Beware of 'dinner date traps' in Kolkata; Police arrest 2 in dating app scam from Elgin restaurant

In a chilling revelation of how online dating can turn into real-life horror, the Kolkata Police Cyber Cell has uncovered a dangerous racket where victims were lured through dating apps and extorted at a restaurant on Elgin Road. Two individuals, including a woman and a restaurant manager, have been arrested in connection with this “honeytrap-style” scam that preyed on unsuspecting users of apps like Boo and Tinder.

The trap was simple but sinister. Trained women used fake profiles to lure men to dates at the restaurant. Once the victims arrived, the women would excuse themselves and leave. Moments later, restaurant staff would step in—often using intimidation tactics—to force the men to pay highly inflated bills, sometimes exceeding ₹10,000. Refusing to pay wasn’t an option, with threats of violence reportedly used to pressure victims.

The operation came to light after multiple complaints were filed by victims who were too frightened or ashamed to speak up initially. However, a growing pattern of extortion and intimidation prompted a formal investigation. The case is registered as Cyber PS Case No. 19/2025.

Acting swiftly, the cyber crime branch arrested one of the main suspects, Mariyam Khatoon, from Baruipur in a morning raid. Shortly after, another raid was carried out at the Elgin Road restaurant, leading to the arrest of manager Ranapati Paswas, also known as Arun Paswas.

"The restaurant management was directly involved in training women on how to approach and trap targets using dating apps. This was an organised setup with predefined roles and tactics," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime & Traffic), Rupesh Kumar. He added that investigators are probing whether other similar setups exist in the city.

Police have warned the public to remain vigilant while using dating apps and avoid meeting strangers in unfamiliar or isolated locations. The case has sparked concern about how online platforms are being weaponized by criminal networks to carry out real-world fraud and intimidation. Further investigation is ongoing, and more arrests may follow.