A Reddit post by a newcomer to Delhi has triggered widespread discussion online after he claimed he was billed nearly ₹18,000 for a casual café meeting arranged through a dating app. The incident has reignited concerns around alleged dating-app-linked café scams in major Indian cities.

According to the post shared on Reddit, the man said he matched with a woman on a dating app and was clear from the start that he was only interested in conversation, not a relationship. Having recently moved to Delhi and feeling lonely, he agreed to meet her at a café-restaurant.

‘I didn’t order anything’

The man claimed that during the meeting, he did not order any food or drinks, while the woman ordered a glass of red wine. However, when the bill arrived, it reportedly included wine, salad and noodles, amounting to around ₹18,000.

Earning a monthly salary of ₹25,000, he said the bill left him shocked and anxious. He paid the amount via UPI but later questioned whether such pricing was normal in Delhi or if he had fallen victim to a scam. Admitting he felt “stupid”, he said the experience had made him wary of meeting people again.

Netizens warn of ‘known scam’

The post quickly gained traction, receiving over 1,400 upvotes and hundreds of comments. Several users claimed this was a known modus operandi in Delhi, where women allegedly collude with certain cafés to lure men and present inflated bills. Some advised the man to file a police complaint or dispute the transaction with his bank.

Others cautioned that refusing to pay in such situations could sometimes lead to intimidation or false accusations. A few commenters described the incident as “lesson money”, urging him to treat it as a hard but valuable experience. Some also pointed out that similar scams have been reported in cities like Bengaluru and even overseas.

Claims remain unverified

The authenticity of the Reddit post could not be independently verified and remains the personal account of the individual who shared it online. No official complaint has been confirmed so far.

However, the incident highlights the risks associated with meeting strangers through dating apps, especially in unfamiliar cities. While online dating has transformed social interactions in urban India, users and experts alike stress the need for caution, awareness and stronger consumer protections to prevent such experiences.