My Experience on the PURE Dating App – From a "Happy Ending" to a Sad (and Expensive) Ending
So, I downloaded the PURE app hoping for a "happy ending." Instead, I got a sad and very expensive ending.
Like every desperate guy, I ended up paying for the premium subscription.
I got a few matches initially, but, as usual, they either stopped replying or became inactive within a day or two.
Then one day, I got a message from a girl.
She told me she was from Chandigarh and had come to Hyderabad for a wedding. Somehow, the story sounded believable, and I thought she might actually be genuine.
She asked for my phone number herself, so I shared it. We started chatting on WhatsApp, and she asked me to meet her at a location she shared.
I reached the location, and the first thing she asked me over the phone was, "Which car did you come in?"
That immediately made me suspicious.
A few minutes later, she arrived and suggested we go to a restaurant. I agreed.
She pointed to a particular bistro and insisted we eat there. My suspicion grew, so I suggested we go to a nearby Starbucks instead.
She refused and insisted on the same restaurant.
I thought, Fine, let's see where this goes.
We sat down and started talking. She asked me about my work and a few personal things. Then she suggested we have drinks.
I refused because I had to drive home.
She kept insisting, so I agreed to have just a small beer.
She, however, ordered Chivas Regal 12, one of the most expensive drinks on the menu.
As we were drinking, I looked at her glass. I'm not claiming to be an expert, but I do know a bit about whisky. The colour and appearance didn't look like Chivas Regal 12 at all. It looked much cheaper.
That made me even more suspicious.
Another thing I noticed was that her English over WhatsApp was quite good, but in person she struggled to speak basic English. It felt like the person texting me and the person sitting in front of me weren't the same.
Then she called the waiter and tried to order three more pegs of Chivas Regal 12.
I immediately said no because it would become ridiculously expensive.
She started guilt-tripping me, saying things like:
"You came on a date with a girl, and you're thinking about money?"
I suggested that we could leave, buy an entire bottle from a liquor store for much less, and continue at my place if she was comfortable later.
She refused, saying she still didn't feel comfortable with me.
At that point, I politely told her,
"I think this was my mistake. I don't want to continue this. You can leave."
She replied,
"If you're worried about the money, just tell me your budget. I'll order accordingly."
That was the final red flag.
I told her I felt something was wrong and asked her to leave.
She simply said, "Your wish," and walked away.
I asked the waiter for the bill.
₹4,553.
I was completely shocked.
Her drinks alone cost around ₹2,500, and she was just about to order three more. If I hadn't stopped her, the bill could have easily crossed ₹10,000.
Luckily, I realized what was happening before it got worse.
I paid the bill, stayed calm, and walked out.
While I was walking towards my bike, I was angry and frustrated. I even thought about complaining.
Then I remembered that dealing with the police would probably become another headache.
Just then, I noticed another couple inside the same restaurant.
The conversation looked almost identical to what had just happened to me.
I felt I had to warn the guy.
So I went back inside and asked him to step outside for a minute.
The girl sitting with him tried to come along, but I told her I needed to speak to him privately.
As soon as I started telling him that this looked like a scam, the restaurant manager and two waiters rushed towards me.
They asked,
"Why are you disturbing our customers?"
I replied,
"I'm your customer too. I just paid my bill."
They weren't interested in listening.
Instead, they called the bouncers.
One of them grabbed me by my collar and forcefully pushed me out of the restaurant.
He shoved me again, and I almost fell. They even looked ready to beat me.
The guy I was trying to warn looked completely shocked.
Before leaving, I shouted,
"You're about to get scammed. Just leave!"
He replied,
"What the...?"
I really hope he left before they trapped him too.
On my way home, I was feeling terrible.
Then I received a voice message from the girl.
It was nothing but abuse and swear words.
A few moments later, I was blocked on WhatsApp.
Lesson Learned
This experience taught me an expensive lesson.
Maybe it was a sign that I shouldn't chase random hookups through dating apps.
So, guys, please be careful.
If someone insists on meeting only at a specific restaurant, pressures you to order expensive drinks, or tries to guilt-trip you into spending more money, leave immediately.
Don't ignore the red flags just because you're hoping the date is genuine.
As for PURE, I can't speak for everyone's experience, but after what happened to me, I genuinely believe many of the profiles I encountered were part of the same scam.
Stay safe, trust your instincts, and don't let desperation cost you your money.