Man trapped with dating app, forced to pay Rs34,000 bill at hotel

Nagpur: A 35-year-old freelance project worker from Shahu Nagar was allegedly lured to a bar and forced to pay an inflated bill of around Rs34,000 through online QR code payment after receiving threats of blackmail and public humiliation. Sadar police have received two more similar complaints about the same bar and restaurant.The complainant told police that he downloaded a dating app on his mobile about two-three months ago. The incident occurred on April 11 between 5.30pm and 7.20pm, according to the FIR registered at Sadar police station. On the day of the incident, a woman identifying herself as ‘Tanu' contacted him on his mobile number and called him to LIC Chowk and then took him to a bar. At the bar, the woman ordered expensive liquor and food. When the victim asked for the bill, he was shocked to receive a bill of Rs 34,213.Police stated the hotel had two menus. They would present a menu with lower price rates before ordering and switch to a different one while billing, having higher price tags. Apart from the one woman identified as Tanu, there are more involved like her in the racket. "All the women would invite their victims to LIC Chowk and then take them to the particular bar where they would be heavily charged," said a police source.When he protested that the amount was too high, the woman, along with her accomplices, allegedly abused him and threatened, "Humko tere baare mein sab maloom hai. Tu bill nahi dega toh tere ghar par aur doston ko bata kar teri badnami karenge aur nanga karke bhejenge" (We know everything about you. If you don't pay the bill, we will defame you by informing your family and friends and send you exposed).Fearing for his reputation, the victim was allegedly forced to scan the hotel's QR code and make an online payment of Rs 34,213.Sadar police have named four accused in the FIR, which included Tanu, Akash Gajbhiye, manager Suupriya Gajbhiye and waiter-cum-bouncer Ujwal Kumar Sudhanshu Raj. Ujwal was arrested on Monday, while owner Akash got admitted to hospital.Sadar police are investigating the matter and scanning CCTV footage from the bar and surrounding areas to identify and nab the accused. Further probe is underway to ascertain if this is part of a larger racket operating in Nagpur.