Police Raid Zoom Birthday Party After Passers-By Mistake Cardboard Cut-Outs For Real People

Police raided a property after passers-by mistook cardboard cut-outs for real guests.

Millionaire Steve Varsano had organised a zoom party at his Mayfair offices in London to celebrate his girlfriend Lisa Tchenguiz's 56th birthday.

The 64-year-old had dozens of Lisa's pals join in to celebrate over video phone.

And to add a little bit more life to proceedings, the jet tycoon ordered life-size cut-outs of all 70 guests to pad the room out and make it feel more like a party.

However, the couple soon received a shock when a passers-by, under the impression that the cut-outs were actually real people, tipped off the police.

A dozen officers then arrived at the office to search for guests.

Speaking about the bizarre incident, Mr Varsano said: "There were about ten officers. They went to all the rooms in my offices like I was some criminal.

Steve Varsano

"Someone must have called and said I was having a party because they saw trucks delivering lights and balloons and images.

"They quickly understood that it was not attended in real life by people but by 70 cardboard cut-outs and Zoom people. I had an operator for lights and he was behind a glass, had a mask and was doing social distancing."

Adding: "I went through unbelievable efforts to adhere to the rules. The police were surprised that there were no people that they could issue a fine to."

But despite the initial visit, another two officers returned to the property later on to double check.

Mr Varsano said: "It was a little bit funny, but we had to take it seriously. They were very nice and realised there wasn't anything illegal. They bid us farewell, but it was a bit alarming."

PA

Though Ms Tchenguiz said they didn't let it dampen their spirits, and said she had a wonderful time, thanks to her boyfriend.

She said: "The police didn't dampen my spirits. They were kind enough to say hello to my friends. They were doing what they need to do.

"It was incredible. I saw these cut-outs and they looked so real and then I turned around and saw a screen of my friends from all over the world."

Speaking about the incident, a spokesperson for Scotland Yard said they received a number of reports about the party.

They said: "Police received six reports about a gathering of people at premises in Park Lane. Officers attended the premises. No further action was taken."

Topics: Police, covid, Coronavirus, Weird, Covid-19

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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