"Sex in Exchange for Free Meals"—Fake Influencer Sporting Louis Vuitton and Dior Arrested

According to Financial News, a woman who posed as an influencer in New York City was arrested for repeatedly failing to pay for meals at upscale restaurants. She allegedly tried to avoid payment by offering Instagram promotions or even sex. It was also revealed that she owed nearly 60 million won in unpaid rent over more than two years.
According to a report by the British outlet The Sun on the 25th (local time), Fei Cheong, 34, was apprehended by police for theft of services after pretending to be an influencer and failing to pay at high-end restaurants in New York City.
On the 21st, Cheong ordered about $149 worth of food at a restaurant and refused to pay, leading to her arrest on the spot. Police had reportedly tracked her after receiving at least ten similar fraud complaints.
She was charged with theft of services the following day, the 22nd, marking her eighth arrest for similar offenses. Cheong had previously been arrested and charged seven times for the same crime.
Her offenses are reported to have started in October last year.
According to police, one of her main targets was Francie, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Williamsburg, New York City. John Winterman, the owner, explained that Cheong recently attempted to dine and dash for the third time, but staff recognized her tactics and denied her entry.
Other establishments, such as Lavender Lake, Motorino, and Peter Luger Steak House, also reported that she evaded payment by pretending to be a food influencer.
To appear as an influencer, Cheong would bring lighting equipment and cameras to upscale restaurants and film herself.
At one restaurant, when her card was declined, she offered, "If you give me a free meal, I'll post a great review on social media," proposing to promote the venue on her SNS.
Her proposals became increasingly bold, and at another restaurant, she reportedly offered sex in exchange for a free meal.
Restaurants victimized by her actions expressed concern that her behavior could inspire copycat crimes.
Meanwhile, Cheong lived in an apartment with a monthly rent of $3,350 and had received an eviction notice after failing to pay rent for over two years.
Police investigations revealed she stopped paying rent in 2023, and her lease expired in August of the following year.
Nevertheless, Cheong continued living in the apartment until her arrest, accumulating unpaid rent totaling $40,000. She had previously been ordered to vacate by December 1.
After moving into the apartment in July 2021, Cheong was known to wear luxury brands such as Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Burberry while creating content at home.
She is currently in jail, detained on charges of attempted fraud.
The court set her bail at $1,500 for the attempted dine-and-dash incident. Two additional warrants for failure to appear in court each added $1,500, bringing her total bail to $4,500.
Cheong's trial for theft of services is scheduled for the 3rd of next month.


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter