India, March 15 -- What begins as a promising Saturday night date after a few playful exchanges on a dating app was turning into an expensive nightmare for several unsuspecting men and women on dating apps in Mumbai.

Recently, a corporate professional in his mid-thirties learnt this the hard way after he swiped right on a glamorous, witty woman whose profile seemed to tick all the right boxes. After days of chatting, the two decided to meet for dinner at a high-end restaurant and bar in Bandra.

The evening began like any other date. The woman picked up the menu and confidently ordered imported tequila, sushi platters and a range of gourmet dishes. Drinks flowed and platters kept arriving at the table.

But when it was time to settle the...