A top-rated Sydney restaurant has exposed what it calls a "repulsive" customer scam after releasing shocking CCTV footage that allegedly shows a diner placing his own armpit hair on food to avoid paying a substantial bill.
The Incident at Pony Dining
The incident occurred at Pony Dining in The Rocks, Sydney, where a family of six racked up a $600 (£312) bill dining on premium cuts including tomahawk steaks costing over $140 (£72) each. After the meal, the customer complained about finding hair in his food and refused to pay for all items consumed.
CCTV Reveals Disturbing Act
Restaurant staff became suspicious due to the group's unusual behavior and reviewed security footage. The CCTV allegedly shows the male customer, dressed in a white polo shirt, reaching into his armpit area, removing strands of hair, and sprinkling them onto his steak before making the complaint.
"We served them a wonderful dinner," the restaurant manager told news.com.au. "Everything was very clean, they had a beautiful table. We decided to check the CCTV after we noticed they were acting very weird."
Restaurant's Response and Warning
The restaurant took the footage to police but was reportedly told there was little officers could do about the incident. In response, Pony Dining shared the video on social media platforms including Instagram to warn other hospitality venues about what they describe as a calculated scam.
"We don't usually share content like this," the restaurant stated in their social media post. "This footage shows an incident that occurred in our venue. After the meal was served, the guest later raised a complaint regarding a hair in their meal and declined payment for all the food. During the interaction, our team also experienced inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour."
Pattern of Similar Incidents Emerges
Following the video's release, a manager from a nearby restaurant claimed the same customer had pulled a similar stunt at their establishment. The employee reported that the man had "found a small rock" in his food, created a scene, and left without paying the full bill.
"On CCTV, you can clearly see him taking it out of his pocket and placing it on the plate before starting his act," the neighboring restaurant manager revealed. "He's an absolute scam and feeds his whole family for free every time."
Broader Implications for Hospitality Industry
The restaurant emphasized they released the footage specifically to raise awareness among fellow restaurant owners about this type of fraudulent customer behavior. The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by hospitality venues dealing with customers who attempt to avoid payment through manufactured complaints.
While the police reportedly indicated limited options for prosecution, the restaurant has formally documented the incident and hopes public exposure will prevent similar scams at other establishments. The case underscores the importance of security systems in protecting businesses from fraudulent claims that can result in significant financial losses.
