Mumbai’s Godfather club under scrutiny, victims left with hefty bills after dates vanish

Mumbai's Godfather Club faces investigation over dating app scam.

The Godfather Club, located in Andheri West, Mumbai, has recently come under intense scrutiny following allegations of its involvement in a sophisticated dating app scam. The club is accused of orchestrating fraudulent schemes that have deceived numerous men into paying exorbitant bills, reported The Free Press Journal.

Moneycontrol could not verify this independently.

The scandal came to light through the efforts of journalist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj, who shared details of the scam on social media. Bhardwaj’s revelations have sparked significant concern and prompted an investigation by the local authorities.

MUMBAI DATING SCAM EXPOSE THE GODFATHER CLUB ANDHERI WESTBRAZEN SCAMMING EVERYDAY12 victims in touchTrap laid through Tinder, BumbleBill amounts 23K- 61K3 men trapped by same girl@MumbaiPolice @CPMumbaiPolice @mymalishka @CMOMaharashtra@zomato pic.twitter.com/qGOacFCE9f
Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) August 23, 2024

How the scam operates

According to Bhardwaj’s findings, the scam begins when individuals connect with women on popular dating apps such as Tinder and Bumble. Under the pretence of a genuine date, these women invite their matches to meet them at The Godfather Club or nearby establishments.

Once at the venue, the women allegedly ordered high-priced items not listed on the menu and spent a brief period with their dates before leaving abruptly. This sudden departure leaves the men with unexpected bills ranging from Rs 23,000 to Rs 61,000.

The scam’s modus operandi reportedly involves the women receiving a commission of 15 to 20 percent of the total bill. This financial incentive appears to drive their participation in the deceitful scheme.

Victims and reactions

Numerous men have reported being targeted by this scam, with some alleging that they have been threatened by the club’s staff or bouncers when challenging the charges. Due to concerns over personal exposure, many victims have hesitated to report the incidents to the authorities.

Despite formal complaints being filed and numerous calls to the police, the scam has continued unabated. Bhardwaj criticized the Mumbai Police for their slow response, suggesting that the situation reflects a deeper issue of negligence or potentially even complicity.

“I’ve exposed many clubs, but The Godfather Club seems to be the worst of them all. It's incredible that they continue their operations despite numerous complaints,” Bhardwaj posted.

The Godfather Club is not the only venue under suspicion. Reports suggest that other nightclubs in Mumbai might be using similar tactics to exploit dating app users. These establishments are believed to employ public relations personnel to recruit women for the scam, highlighting a troubling pattern in the city’s nightlife.

In response to the allegations, the Mumbai Police have stated that they are aware of the situation and that an investigation is underway. The concerned police station has been informed, and authorities are working to address the claims.

Bhardwaj has urged law enforcement agencies to take decisive action against establishments engaged in such fraudulent activities.

A similar incident was reported months back when a Delhi civil service aspirant faced a Rs 1.20 lakh bill after a Tinder date, reflecting a widespread, unreported scam.

Multiple Reddit posts, some dating back a year, detail scams where people were tricked into paying exorbitant amounts on dates with women from dating apps.