I Got Scammed on a Valentine’s Week Date — Here's What Happened.

Hey Reddit,

I want to share my experience in the hope that it helps someone avoid the same mistake. So here goes:

A while ago, I went on a date with a girl I met through a few casual text exchanges. I was feeling pretty lonely, and since it was Valentine’s week, I thought, why not? I suggested a couple of places for us to meet up, but she was insistent on "deciding once we meet." Fine, no problem.

She made me wait for an hour and, when she finally showed up, told me to rush to this place called "Metro Lounge and Bar" in Koregaon Park. She said we were already running late, and the urgency kind of threw me off. I didn’t think much of it and went there immediately.

Once I arrived, she immediately started ordering drinks. Not just any drinks, but Blue Label whiskey and vapes — both things I didn’t know were so expensive. But I didn’t think much of it because, to be honest, I was still fairly new to working life and didn't fully understand the pricing of such things.

Then the real shock hit. When she went to the washroom, I asked the waiter about the bill. That’s when I saw it… ₹18,800. EIGHTEEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED for drinks and a couple of vapes. I was in complete disbelief. This was a casual place, not a fancy lounge or anything.

I had no way of paying that amount. I didn’t have anywhere near that much money on me. So, I gathered what little courage I had and confronted her when she came back. Her response? Excuses. She didn't own up to any responsibility. Then, the staff joined in and told me that it was my responsibility to split the bill. So, I ended up paying ₹9,500, half of the total.

At this point, it felt like a complete scam. I really think the girl and the staff were in on it together. There’s no way it was a coincidence that the bill was that high at a place like that.

Oh, and just so you know, parking at that place costs ₹40, which isn’t much, but it's just another unnecessary charge that added to the surprise.

Feeling utterly cheated, I decided to go to the police station. But when I told them about the situation, they asked for a receipt, which I didn’t have. Without it, they couldn’t really help me. I left the police station feeling defeated, disillusioned, and stupid for falling for this scam.

Looking back, it’s kind of embarrassing. I knew incidents like this happened, but I thought it wouldn't happen to me. The worst part? I feel like I should have been more careful, especially during Valentine’s week, when loneliness and FOMO are at their peak.

So here’s my advice: If you're in the same position, don't let the loneliness or excitement of a date cloud your judgment. Take your time getting to know someone first. Choose a known, trusted place for a first meet-up. And if something feels off, trust your gut.

I hope someone reads this and learns from my mistake. Take care of yourselves out there, Reddit. Whether you’re looking for peace, love, or just some good company, remember that it’s better to wait for something real than fall into a situation like this.

Fraud place: Metro Lounge and bar, koregaon park.