Man arrested for dating scams after fleeing restaurant bills

Hong Kong police arrested a 29-year-old man suspected of defrauding multiple women through dating apps. 

The suspect, apprehended in Tuen Mun, allegedly lured three victims to restaurants with promises to pay for meals, only to disappear without settling bills totaling approximately HK$3,800.

Authorities revealed the man connected with victims through dating apps before arranging in-person meetings. 

During these encounters, he would allegedly promise to cover dining expenses, then fabricate excuses for the women to pay temporarily before vanishing. 

One victim shared her experience online, detailing how a man posing as a firefighter scammed her out of HK$1,630 at a Yuen Long restaurant. 

After ordering expensive dishes, he claimed his credit card had been compromised and convinced her to pay, only to disappear afterward. 

The Hong Kong Fire Services Department confirmed the suspect was not an employee. 

His first known incident occurred in early April, when he invited a 31-year-old woman to a Japanese buffet in Mong Kok. After the meal, he allegedly claimed his credit card had been stolen and convinced her to pay the bill, promising to repay her later. However, he soon disappeared to "use the restroom" and never returned. The victim waited in vain before realizing she'd been blocked on their messaging app.

Emboldened by his initial success, the man allegedly struck again in late May. This time, he took a 34-year-old woman to a Japanese restaurant in Yuen Long, using the same credit card theft excuse to avoid paying.

The arrested man, reportedly a bus driver, faces charges of "obtaining property by deception" and has been released on bail pending further investigation.

Read more: HK woman falls victim to "dinner scam" by fake firefighter