Dining out scam. Beware!

This is very old dining out scam that's been operating for many years but still some eateries are falling for it.

Perfectly normal couple (it works best with couples but families have been known to be involved with this scam) take a table and order their meals and drinks. They appear very amiable and affable with their host and other customers. It works best if other customers are present.

When their meal is almost finished and drinks nearly gone, he calls the waitress over and indicates towards the meal. He points out that there is something moving in the meal. It's a tiny insect or two or maybe a spider.

He complains to the point where his partner ALSO finds something similar as she pokes about in the remains of her meal. The waitress may call over the chef or the proprietor but the man is insistent, the food is totally inedible, that the restaurant is lax with their hygiene and that he and his wife may have been poisoned. Other diners poke nervously in their food too.

The crux is that the couple are let off the bill and receive effusive apologies. They leave in black humour and with threatening disgust.

They go on to do this again and again in other eateries in other locations.


If you are involved in the restaurant or pub trade. Beware!