Influencer Pei-Yun Chung has been arrested and charged seven times after allegedly eating at several New York City restaurants and leaving without paying the bill.
Since Oct. 22, the 35-year-old content creator — who posts restaurant reviews to more than 26,000 followers on Instagram — has been arrested and charged with misdemeanor theft of services seven times, police told the New York Times.
She was booked into a Rikers Island detention center on Nov. 23, where she is being held on a $4,500 bail, according to city incarceration records.
According to the New York Times, Chung was charged after allegedly failing to pay a $100 bill at Misi, an Italian restaurant in Brooklyn, N.Y., a $123 bill at Sea Thai Brooklyn, and, most recently, a $149 tab at Mole Mexican Bar & Grill — for which she was arraigned on Saturday, Nov. 22.
Citing interviews with owners of several restaurants visited by Chung, the New York Times reported that she has a pattern of visiting restaurants, taking numerous photos of the food she orders, and then allegedly refusing to pay — sometimes asking if she could post pictures of the meal on social media instead of settling the bill.
Neither Chung nor her lawyers immediately responded to requests for comment.
Liad Matatyahu, the owner of Israeli restaurant 12 Chairs Cafe, where Chung allegedly dined and then left after saying she could not pay, told the Times that the influencer has developed a reputation among local restaurant owners.
“Restaurants started to call other restaurants to inform them that this is what’s happening, and this is the picture if she comes in,” he said. “At least that has been the silver lining, reminding us that we’re strong and connected.”
The content creator seemingly last updated her Instagram account on Oct. 23, sharing photos of a meal from Francie — a Michelin-starred brasserie where Chung allegedly dined twice without paying, per the Times.
According to N.Y.C. incarceration records, Chung is expected in court for a hearing on Nov. 26.
