How a Hefei Coffee Shop Scammed Customers Out of $70K

In May 2023, a 40-year-old engineer named Li Wei thought he’d met someone special through a dating app. After weeks of flirty chats, he agreed to meet a woman called 'Little Woman' near the intersection of Ma’anshan Road and Taihu Road in Hefei. What started as a simple coffee meetup quickly turned into an expensive trap—costing him over 12,000 RMB in just one evening.

The answer is clear: over 700,000 RMB was scammed from at least 70 victims in six months by a Hefei café using 'wine hostesses' to lure in targets, many of whom were men tricked into expensive dates. Only seven victims reported the crime.

How the Scam Unfolded

Last September, a couple from Northeast China—Yang and Quan—opened a coffee shop named '' (Mó Dòu Xiāng, translated as 'Grind Bean Fragrance') at the busy corner of Ma’anshan and Taihu Roads in Hefei. But business wasn’t good. Faced with mounting losses, they hatched a plan to recruit 'wine hostesses' from their hometown to work as 'bait' for unsuspecting customers.

These hostesses, mostly in their twenties and some underage, were paired with male 'keyboard operators' who would chat up victims on dating sites. Once a connection was made, the women would arrange to meet their targets at the café.

The Trap: From First Drink to Hefty Bill

On their first meeting, the women would often suggest sitting down at 'Grind Bean Fragrance', typically claiming they were hot or needed to rest. Once seated, they would initiate ordering drinks—usually expensive wine—without disclosing prices.

'The woman said she wasn’t feeling well and wanted a drink,' victim Li Wei recalled. 'I didn’t think to ask the price. Then another woman joined us, and the drinks kept coming.' The final bill? Over 12,000 RMB for a few bottles of wine—far above market value.

According to an undercover officer, the women would also bring in additional 'friends' to further drive up the tab. Victims were often too embarrassed or caught up in the moment to refuse repeated orders.

How the Criminal Gang Operated

Police from the Third Squadron of Baohe District Criminal Police identified the café as the hub of the scam. In June 2023, they arrested two women in the act of ordering high-priced drinks with two middle-aged male victims. Under interrogation, the pair admitted to being part of an organized group led by the café owners, Yang and Quan.

The gang recruited young couples as 'wine hostesses'. The men acted as online chat operators ('keyboard hands'), while the women would meet the victims in person. The café’s wine inventory was supplied by the bosses, with markups so steep that a 100 RMB bottle might retail for 1,000 RMB inside.

'They told me if I brought in over 20,000 RMB in a month, I’d get a 25% cut,' one suspect, Zhao Li, revealed. 'But if I didn’t hit 10,000 RMB, the commission was tiny. We weren’t dating anyone—we were just using their hopes to make money.'

The Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation

By late June 2023, police had dismantled much of the operation, but the main suspects—Yang and Quan along with two others—had fled and are now listed as wanted fugitives. Authorities believe around 70 people were scammed, but only seven came forward.

'If you were scammed at Grind Bean Fragrance, come to the Baohe Criminal Police Third Squadron to file a report,' police urged.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the name of the coffee shop involved in the scam?

The café was called '' (Mó Dòu Xiāng), translated as 'Grind Bean Fragrance', and was located at the intersection of Ma’anshan Road and Taihu Road in Hefei.

How much money was stolen through the scam?

The criminal group defrauded victims of more than 700,000 RMB (approximately $100,000 USD) over a six-month period.

How did the 'wine hostesses' operate?

They posed as romantic interests on dating apps, arranged to meet victims at the café, and ordered expensive drinks without revealing prices, often encouraging victims to buy more rounds.

Were the drinks priced normally?

No. According to suspects, the wine was genuine but sold at wildly inflated prices—sometimes 10 times the market rate, such as 1,000 RMB for a bottle that normally costs 100 RMB.

Have all the suspects been caught?

No. Four suspects remain at large, including the main couple, Yang and Quan. Police are actively pursuing them.

What should I do if I was scammed there?

Victims are urged to report the incident to the Baohe Criminal Police Third Squadron in Hefei.

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