The modern era of "Gen Z" dating, where relationships move from a "Hi" to a meeting within 24 hours, has brought about a sinister new criminal trend in Bengaluru. Beyond the traditional "Honey Trap," a sophisticated "Money Trap" gang is in control in the city's tech corridors, working in cahoots with some pubs and possibly biased local enforcers to drain the bank accounts of unsuspecting victims.
The Bait: Fast Chats and Immediate Meets
The scam usually starts with dating apps. Female members of the gang, whom victims characterize as “butterflies,” chat quickly with men often high-earning techies from Marathahalli and Bellandur. And unlike real users, these people press for a physical meeting almost immediately, often sending a specific location for a “first date” within a day.
The Trap: The “Vanishing Date” and ₹75,000 Bill
One victim, a techie from Marathahalli, described his horror story in a pub in Bellandur. The woman was very friendly and she ordered expensive drinks and snacks immediately. After a short chat and a few rounds of drinks, she excused herself to go to the washroom and never came back.
Just after her disappearance, the pub staff arrived at the table with a staggering bill, sometimes as high as ₹75,000. When the victim questioned the exorbitant charges for a few drinks, the staff resorted to intimidation. “They threatened to call the police, claiming I was trying to flee without paying for a date I brought to the pub.”
The Syndicate: Pub Staff and “Actor” Teams
Victims say this is not a one-off incident but a coordinated syndicate. One young man who’d lost a substantial amount said that there are groups of 10–15 women working for these establishments. “They act as if they are into you, order huge quantities of expensive liquor they don’t even finish, and then the pub forces you to pay at any cost,” he said.
Another victim recently faced a ₹37,000 bill for a very brief encounter. When he refused to pay and called the emergency number 112, the response was disheartening. Bellandur police arrived at the scene but failed to file a case, locate the woman, or even look into why the price of the pub was so high. The public has even begun to suspect local authorities might be overlooking such “Money Trap” activities.
Safety Red Flags for Online Dating
To prevent falling into this orchestrated trap, experts suggest the following precautions:
- Choose the Venue Yourself: Never go to a pub or bar suggested only by the other person on a first date.
- Check Reviews: Research the suggested venue online; many victims are now leaving “scam alerts” in Google reviews for these particular pubs.
- Observe the Ordering: If your date is ordering high-value items so quickly and without your consent, it is a red flag.
- Public Meetups: Opt for coffee shops or well-known malls for the first meeting where billing is transparent.
To address the “Money Trap” that continues to claim victims across Bengaluru’s nightlife, the tech industry is demanding that the licensing of pubs that are involved in these predatory practices be thoroughly investigated.
