Love turned sour: Inside the distressing Tinder scam exploiting daters for restaurant profits

Where are dates most frequently held? At a restaurant, a haven to enjoy each other's company. An American woman recently shared her astounding encounter: her perfect match didn't turn up for their planned date at a restaurant. Upon further investigation, the woman uncovered that it was a deliberate act, and she was not the sole victim.

Taylor is a TikToker. She became an instant sensation after uploading a video detailing her date experience with a handsome stranger she met on Tinder. He seemed courteous and cordial, and after a brief conversation, invited her to a specific restaurant. Taylor was on board instantly. But upon arriving at the agreed location, she realized that she had been stood up. She fruitlessly searched for him and waited quite some time.

She attempted to contact him, only to find out that they were no longer a match on the app. This means they were prohibited from exchanging messages. Frustrated, but undeterred, Taylor resolved that since she was already at the restaurant, she would order a meal. It soon unfolded that she had fallen victim to catfishing—where someone assumes a false internet identity for financial or matrimonial advantages.

In an intriguing twist, Taylor wasn't stood up by the man, but by the restaurant. An increasing number of establishments are creating counterfeit profiles on dating apps. They use pictures of attractive individuals to lend credibility to the profile, and arrange dates at their own restaurant. Disheartened daters are likely to stay and order food, thus providing revenue for the restaurant. It's a prevalent scam that plays cruelly on emotions.

Taylor's footage stirred quite a reaction. Comments flooded in:

"Please disclose the name of this restaurant"

"Name the place so I can steer clear of it"

"Hard to fathom how low we've stooped"