Honorable mention: The Dallas scammers
Two women who present themselves as mother and daughter are conning money out of Texas restaurants with the help of some props. A few bites into their meals, they call over a waiter to see the glass shards they allegedly found in the food. A bloodied napkin adds credibility, as does a phone number that’s left with the place as the pair dashes out to find a doctor.
They get back in touch with a demand that the establishment pick up the $2,500 in medical bills that weren’t covered by insurance.
Dallas restaurateur Amy Severson told D magazine blogger Nancy Nichols that something didn’t feel right about the interaction. She talked to her insurance company, which said the same turn of events had been reported by three other restaurants in the area. No money was paid, though the women apparently got a free meal.