SCARS Institute's Encyclopedia of Scams™ RomanceScamsNOW.com Published Continuously for 25 Years

SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years

In 2025 the SCARS Institute will enter its 11th year of Supporting Scam Victims Worldwide. Please let us know how we can better help you? Thank you for supporting our organization. SCARS Institute © 2024 www.AgainstScams.org

Food Digging – A Restaurant Run Scam to Lure In Customers

Food Digging: A New Scam Tactic Used in Dishonest and Unethical Restaurant Marketing to Lure Victims to their Venue

Catalog of Scams – A SCARS Institute Insight

Author:
•  SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Article Abstract

“Food digging” is a deceptive practice where restaurants create fake profiles on dating apps to lure people into their establishment under the guise of a date. The unsuspecting victim is stood up after arriving at the restaurant but often ends up buying food or drinks while waiting.

This tactic pushes people to consume at the restaurant, benefiting the establishment while exploiting the individual. This practice has been seen in countries like India and the U.S., posing ethical concerns about how businesses manipulate customers.

Food Digging - A Restaurant Run Scam to Lure In Customers

Food Digging: A New Scam Tactic Used in Dishonest and Unethical Restaurant Marketing to Lure Victims to their Venue

Ironically, it is Actually a Form of a Romance Scam, since it uses Dating Fake Profiles to Victimize

“Food digging” is an emerging marketing scheme used by some restaurants to draw in customers by leveraging dating apps. Here’s how it works: a fake profile on a dating app engages with a user, leading to a planned “date” at a specific restaurant. Once the unsuspecting person arrives, the date never shows up. However, the individual often ends up ordering food or drinks while waiting, benefiting the restaurant.

According to AFP:

After using fake reviews to harm competitors’ reputations, unscrupulous restaurant owners are now reportedly using dating apps to lure in customers in a trick that’s been dubbed “food digging”. The idea is to organise a “date” with a victim who then gets stood up but inevitably ends up buying something at the restaurant anyway.

The big night is finally here! You’re going to meet that guy you’ve been chatting to on your go-to dating app. After a few days of messaging, you’ve both decided to take the plunge and leave digital communication behind in favour of a real-world rendezvous. And your date has taken the lead in choosing the restaurant for this first meeting…

You arrive, you wait. And, in the end, your date never shows up, but, while waiting, you ordered a drink, then two, and perhaps something to eat.

It could almost be the plot of a B-movie. Unfortunately, it is reported to be taking place in the real world, in this case, in the United States, where a few days ago on TikTok, a user by the name of @Nosybystanders called out this deceptive new practice, dubbed “food digging”.

The idea is that restaurant owners are creating fake profiles on dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble or Happn, in order to get chatting to someone, arrange to meet them at their specific eatery, and then ultimately stand them up. And, since the jilted date is already in the restaurant, they order a drink or food while waiting. Or, when they realise they’ve been stood up, they go ahead and order dinner anyway. Ultimately, this “food digging” trick is all about pushing people to consume.

The unfortunate victims referred to by the influencer report that the restaurant owners involved are usually quick to suggest meeting and insist on a specific restaurant straight away – so this could be a red flag to watch out for. What’s more, after failing to turn up, the victim is quickly “unmatched” by the fraudster.

This kind of dubious scenario is said to have started in India, according to the content creator, and is now being seen in the US.

How Food Digging Works

  • A fake profile is created on a dating app.
  • The scammer engages in casual conversation, eventually setting up a date at a restaurant they are promoting.
  • When the date is scheduled, the victim arrives at the restaurant but is stood up.
  • Feeling obligated, the person may order food or drink while waiting, boosting the restaurant’s sales without realizing they’ve been misled.

No Scam or Deception is Harmless

While this scam is not likely to result in significant trauma to scam victims, it can have serious consequences, particularly since once a victim is known to the restaurant scammer, they are likely to lure the victim back several times. The effects of such repeated ‘failures’ or ‘no shows’ can adversely affect the confidence and perception of self-worth of the victims.

Locations and Spread

Food digging appears to be spreading in various regions, notably in countries like India and the U.S. As restaurants face increasing competition, some resort to these underhanded tactics to fill seats and increase revenue. The practice is illegal since it is fraud, unethical and manipulative, taking advantage of people’s emotions and intentions in romantic settings.

Ethical/Legal Concerns

This tactic raises significant ethical concerns, as it exploits the trust and time of individuals under false pretenses. Restaurants may benefit in the short term, but this practice can erode customer trust and damage reputations if exposed. However, simply put, this is deception and fraud and is unlawful.

In conclusion, food digging reflects a concerning trend in manipulative and unlawful marketing, and diners should be cautious about unexpected “dates” set up through dating apps at unknown restaurants.

-/ 30 /-

What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment below!

Article Rating

0
(0)

Table of Contents

ARTICLE CATEGORIES

POPULAR ARTICLES

Rapid Report Scammers

SCARS-CDN-REPORT-SCAMEMRS-HERE

Visit SCARS www.Anyscam.com

Quick Reporting

  • Valid Emails Only

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
    Valid Phone Numbers Only

Subscribe & New Item Updates

In the U.S. & Canada

U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988

U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988

ARTICLE META

RATE THIS ARTICLE?

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

As you found this post useful...

Follow us on social media!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

LEAVE A COMMENT?

  1. Food Digging - A Restaurant Run Scam to Lure In Customers - 2024 1
    Jackie Leftwich October 25, 2024 at 5:50 pm - Reply

    Wow l’m not any dating apps just Facebook and Instagram. Would it happen there too?

Your comments help the SCARS Institute better understand all scam victim/survivor experiences and improve our services and processes. Thank you


Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.

Recent Comments
On Other Articles

Important Information for New Scam Victims

If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org

If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines

A Note About Labeling!

We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!

A Question of Trust

At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.

Statement About Victim Blaming

Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.

These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.

Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org

Psychology Disclaimer:

All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only

The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.

While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.

If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.

Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.