Dating apps are a bit of a minefield. There are lot's of weird profiles that look fake, lot's of strange people trying to hook up and it can be a slightly fake way to meet people. It's like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. But despite desperately wishing for the yummy caramel one, you might get stuck with the marzipan monstrosity.
But if you swipe right, strike up a conversation with someone and agree to meet in a public place, what's the worst that can happen?
Well, you could match with forty-four year old Paul Gonzales.
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He's a serial date-skipper who rips off LA women. He asks them out for dinner at a fancy restaurant via dating apps and then orders a lot of food and drink. The women he asks out are clearly surprised - I mean who needs two or three starters - and then he takes a phone call and disappears.
His latest victim is so embarrassed she didn't want to be named and shamed, but she said that he ordered: "A glass of Pinot, a Caesar salad with a side of shrimp, a steak, and a baked potato."
That's £50 of food - not including tax and tip. Although to be honest, I could easily eat all of that. Even on a first date. And I would want more than one glass of wine. But maybe things are different in the States.
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With just half a potato left, Gonzales excused himself to take a call on his cell phone - and never returned.
'The waiter came back and said, "He's not out there, is this a first date?" she told CBS Los Angeles.
'And I said, "Yes, this is a first blind date," and he said, "He's gone."
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Brutal.
Luckily, the restaurant let her off and she didn't have to pay for his meal. But what a weird thing to do. Is Paul playing some sort of weird game? Does he hate paying for food?
Is he really poor? Or just a bit weird?
Diane Guilmette Credit: Twitter
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It seems that Paul Gonzales is pushing his luck now he's well known for his antics. Diane Guilmette came forward after a similarly disastrous date with the dine-and-dash man. She met him on dating app Plenty of Fish and he asked her out to a steakhouse in LA.
Flattered, she accepted despite admitting that the restaurant was a 'little pricey' for her. Again, Paul showed he had a hearty appetite and ordered a lot of expensive dishes and wine. Only the best for Paul!
And all seemed well and good during the dinner - until it came to the end of the meal. He went out to make a phone call (so rude on a date anyway) and didn't return.
Diane was stuck with a bill of £130 - mostly Paul's food. When she tried to contact him on the app, she found out he had blocked her.
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Ouch.
Ladies in the LA area - you've been warned.
Featured Image Credit: Plenty of Fish