A 50-year-old Lithuanian man in Spain has been arrested for allegedly faking heart attacks at numerous restaurants to evade paying his bills.
This scammer reportedly targeted at least 20 eateries, primarily in Spain’s Costa Blanca region.
After placing orders and consuming food and drinks, he would theatrically fake a heart attack, clutching his chest and pretending to faint on the floor.
His act was convincing enough to work, until one restaurant owner saw through it and warned others.
In a recent incident at El Buen Comer restaurant in Alicante, the man tried to leave without paying a bill of 34.85 euros ($37).
When staff prevented him from leaving, he began faking a heart attack. However, the restaurant staff didn’t fall for the act, and they called the police instead of an ambulance. The police recognized the scammer from previous incidents, making it difficult for him to evade consequences.
Despite his notoriety among restaurant owners in the Costa Blanca region, the scammer usually faces minor repercussions, such as spending a night in jail. However, a group of restaurant owners is planning to file a joint complaint, which could result in a potential prison sentence of up to two years.
