A singleton claims she met 'Hinge's version' of the Tinder swindler who talked her into paying for a holiday to Spain as their first date - before 'ghosting' her. Claudia Harris says she had avoided dating apps but was persuaded to join by a friend and military lad James (not his real name) was the 'first person she came across' and matched with in May last year. After experiencing instant fireworks and chatting all day and night, the 29-year-old admits she impulsively agreed to book a three-day trip to Malaga, Spain, together for their first-ever date.
Since she had arrived the night before her date landed, Claudia covered the up-front £800 hotel costs, which her budding romance agreed to pay her back for. Photos show the pair enjoying dinner dates, trips to the beach and even getting tattoos together despite having only just met. But the fashion PR says she eventually realised she had been scammed after the weekend away when her date 'ghosted' her messages asking for £400 to cover the accommodation costs.
Claudia was left 'really upset' as she 'could not afford' to lose the money and was even forced to warn James that she'd report him to his barracks if he didn't send her the cash – but never did. The hit Netflix documentary 'The Tinder Swindler' showcases a man taking women he meets on dating apps on impulsive trips before craftily scamming them out of their money. Claudia claimed on social media that she experienced 'Tinder Swindler in real life, but make it Hinge' af.