A man was arrested in Spain after allegedly faking multiple heart attacks at 20 restaurants to skip out on the bill.
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The 50-year-old suspect visited 20 restaurants in the country’s Costa Blanca region and would put on a show each time after ordering food and drinks. According to Oddity Central, the man would clutch his chest and pretend to faint on the floor, but one restaurant owner caught on to his scheme. The owner took pictures of the scammer and sent them to other local restaurants to warn them about his heart attack act.
There was one incident last month when the man was at a local restaurant, El Buen Comer, in Alicante and ordered seafood paella and a few shots of whiskey when the waiter approached him with a bill for 34.85 euros($37). The suspect attempted to leave but became visibly upset when the waiter told him he had to pay his bill. He explained that he was leaving for his hotel room to get the money, but the staff didn’t allow him to go, leaving him to start his heart attack performance.
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El Buen Comer’s manager called the performance ‘theatrical’ and said they were sending photos of him so other restaurants could be aware of his scheme.
“We have sent his photo to all the restaurants to try and stop him from striking again.”
When police arrived at the scene, the man requested medical services, but the officers immediately recognized him for his previous incidents at other restaurants in the city. His schemes started in November 2022 and became infamous due to his heart attack scams. Although his crimes are considered minor, he only spends one night in jail because of the small bills he accumulated.
However, several restaurant owners plan to file a joint complaint that can send him to serve at least two years in jail.
Skipping the bill in Spain is not a good idea. It is considered theft and can have serious consequences. If you are caught, you could be arrested, fined, or even deported. There are a few reasons why skipping the bill is frowned upon in Spain. First, it is a crime. Second, it is seen as a sign of disrespect to the restaurant and its staff. Finally, it can hurt the reputation of other tourists and make it more difficult for them to be welcomed in Spain. If you are unhappy with your meal or service, speaking to the restaurant manager is best. They may be able to resolve the issue for you. If you cannot resolve the problem with the manager, you can file a complaint with the local authorities.