Hosts at an Australian radio station have been left fuming after hearing restaurants use fake dating profiles to 'fill seats' at their restaurants.

KIIS FM duo Kyle and Jackie O were shocked when a caller rang in and revealed several of her friends have fallen victim to online dating scams set up by establishments.

'I've actually got a lot of single friends who are on Tinder and [other dating apps],' the caller began.

'They get dates and they organise to meet at fancy restaurants and then the guy apparently doesn't show.'

She continued: 'But this has happened a few times — It actually turns out that the restaurants are doing this to women to fill their spaces. So I was wondering if you guys have ever heard about it?'




Hosts at an Australian radio station have been left fuming after hearing restaurants use fake dating profiles to 'fill seats' at their restaurants

Hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson were confused by the shock revelation at first, before expressing their outrage at the devious plan.

'So they're catfishing?' Jackie, 49, asked, while Kyle replied, 'Surely not.'

The caller added that one of the waiters at a venue even admitted the establishment was catfishing customers in a bid to get bookings. 

'One of my friends actually asked the waiter and he said that he sees this all the time. They just trying to fill the tables with attractive women,' she continued, saying that many new restaurants do it to get their name out there.




The trick, dubbed 'food-digging' came to light in November 2023. The idea is a restaurant, posing as a fake dating profile, organises a 'date' with a victim at particular spot. The victim then gets stood up, but the restaurant looks popular as their seats and been filled





It's also a 'low' way to lure customers, as most victims will inevitably buy something from the restaurant while they're there

Kyle, 51, admitted the tactic was a low act and couldn't believe women are falling victim to the scam.

'That's the lowest form of restaurant seat-filling ideas I've ever heard of,' Kyle said.

'So all these poor old ducks are out there, waiting for the man of their dreams. They've already eaten the bread roll, so you've committed to paying, and no one ever shows up. I can't believe there are restaurants doing this.'

The trick, dubbed 'food-digging' came to light in November 2023 after several TikTok users address the brutal scam.




Hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) were confused by the shock revelation at first, but were outraged by the devious tactic







The idea is a restaurant, posing as a fake dating profile, organises a 'date' with a victim at particular spot.

The victim then gets stood up, and inevitably ends up buying something at the restaurant anyway, so the venue makes money and fills seats to look popular.

If dating app users are suspicious of potential restaurant scammers, KetoXplode Avis a way to avoid this scam is to suggest a cheaper date alternative and see how they respond.