Topline: Pei Chung attempted to trade social media posts or favors for high-end meals after her credit cards were declined.
Published: November 28, 2025 1:38 pm ET
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Pei Chung (via Instagram)
NEW YORK CITY — A Brooklyn woman who styled herself as a luxury food influencer was arrested multiple times in late 2025 after allegedly skipping out on bills at upscale restaurants across New York City.
Pei Chung, 34, faces several counts of theft of services tied to incidents at high-end eateries, according to police. As per The Sun, Chung has gained notoriety for ordering lavish meals and refusing to pay. Online, she presents herself as a glamorous lifestyle figure with more than 13,000 Instagram followers and bringing professional camera gear to restaurants.
Authorities said she was arrested at least seven times between late October and mid-November. The alleged scams largely took place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at establishments including the Michelin-starred Francie, Peter Luger Steak House, Motorino Pizza, Lavender Lake, Meadowsweet, and Misi.
At Francie in late October, Chung reportedly ordered foie gras, carpaccio, bucatini, lamb and hot-chocolate mousse, racking up a $188 bill. When her credit cards were declined, she allegedly offered to pay with social media promotion.
Co-owner John Winterman said she proposed trading “pictures and a blog post for the meal.” Staff refused, and she was later arrested after returning to the restaurant on Nov. 7 and again refusing to pay an $83 tab.
Similar incidents followed. On Nov. 11, Chung was arrested at Motorino Pizza after refusing to cover a $135 bill. Days earlier, she allegedly left Lavender Lake without paying $97.
In another case, staff at Peter Luger Steak House told police she offered sexual favors when her payment methods failed. Officers recognized Chung immediately and escorted her out.
Police said she was arrested again after refusing to pay $149 at Mole Mexican Bar and Grill. The New York Post reported it was her eighth arrest in connection with similar charges.
Court filings also show Chung is also facing eviction from her $3,350-a-month Williamsburg studio apartment, where she is nearly $40,000 behind on rent. The prestigious building is valued at $650 million and owned by entities linked to former Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
Despite Chung’s financial troubles, her social media accounts continue to feature designer clothing, luxury accessories, and poses from her waterfront studio. Her Instagram following has increased since her arrests have been made public.
Chung is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 3, to face theft-of-services charges, with bail set at $4,500. The hearing comes just days before her planned eviction from her Williamsburg apartment.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Luxury Lifestyle Influencer Busted in Repeated NYC Dine-and-Dash Spree
Pei Chung attempted to trade social media posts or favors for high-end meals after her credit cards were declined.
By Kate Byrd
Published: November 28, 2025 1:38 pm ET
Pei Chung (via Instagram)
NEW YORK CITY — A Brooklyn woman who styled herself as a luxury food influencer was arrested multiple times in late 2025 after allegedly skipping out on bills at upscale restaurants across New York City.
Pei Chung, 34, faces several counts of theft of services tied to incidents at high-end eateries, according to police. As per The Sun, Chung has gained notoriety for ordering lavish meals and refusing to pay. Online, she presents herself as a glamorous lifestyle figure with more than 13,000 Instagram followers and bringing professional camera gear to restaurants.
Authorities said she was arrested at least seven times between late October and mid-November. The alleged scams largely took place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at establishments including the Michelin-starred Francie, Peter Luger Steak House, Motorino Pizza, Lavender Lake, Meadowsweet, and Misi.
At Francie in late October, Chung reportedly ordered foie gras, carpaccio, bucatini, lamb and hot-chocolate mousse, racking up a $188 bill. When her credit cards were declined, she allegedly offered to pay with social media promotion.
Co-owner John Winterman said she proposed trading “pictures and a blog post for the meal.” Staff refused, and she was later arrested after returning to the restaurant on Nov. 7 and again refusing to pay an $83 tab.
Similar incidents followed. On Nov. 11, Chung was arrested at Motorino Pizza after refusing to cover a $135 bill. Days earlier, she allegedly left Lavender Lake without paying $97.
In another case, staff at Peter Luger Steak House told police she offered sexual favors when her payment methods failed. Officers recognized Chung immediately and escorted her out.
Police said she was arrested again after refusing to pay $149 at Mole Mexican Bar and Grill. The New York Post reported it was her eighth arrest in connection with similar charges.
Court filings also show Chung is also facing eviction from her $3,350-a-month Williamsburg studio apartment, where she is nearly $40,000 behind on rent. The prestigious building is valued at $650 million and owned by entities linked to former Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
Despite Chung’s financial troubles, her social media accounts continue to feature designer clothing, luxury accessories, and poses from her waterfront studio. Her Instagram following has increased since her arrests have been made public.
Chung is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 3, to face theft-of-services charges, with bail set at $4,500. The hearing comes just days before her planned eviction from her Williamsburg apartment.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Luxury Lifestyle Influencer Busted in Repeated NYC Dine-and-Dash Spree
Pei Chung attempted to trade social media posts or favors for high-end meals after her credit cards were declined.
By Kate Byrd
Published: November 28, 2025 1:38 pm ET
Pei Chung (via Instagram)
NEW YORK CITY — A Brooklyn woman who styled herself as a luxury food influencer was arrested multiple times in late 2025 after allegedly skipping out on bills at upscale restaurants across New York City.
Pei Chung, 34, faces several counts of theft of services tied to incidents at high-end eateries, according to police. As per The Sun, Chung has gained notoriety for ordering lavish meals and refusing to pay. Online, she presents herself as a glamorous lifestyle figure with more than 13,000 Instagram followers and bringing professional camera gear to restaurants.
Authorities said she was arrested at least seven times between late October and mid-November. The alleged scams largely took place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at establishments including the Michelin-starred Francie, Peter Luger Steak House, Motorino Pizza, Lavender Lake, Meadowsweet, and Misi.
At Francie in late October, Chung reportedly ordered foie gras, carpaccio, bucatini, lamb and hot-chocolate mousse, racking up a $188 bill. When her credit cards were declined, she allegedly offered to pay with social media promotion.
Co-owner John Winterman said she proposed trading “pictures and a blog post for the meal.” Staff refused, and she was later arrested after returning to the restaurant on Nov. 7 and again refusing to pay an $83 tab.
Similar incidents followed. On Nov. 11, Chung was arrested at Motorino Pizza after refusing to cover a $135 bill. Days earlier, she allegedly left Lavender Lake without paying $97.
In another case, staff at Peter Luger Steak House told police she offered sexual favors when her payment methods failed. Officers recognized Chung immediately and escorted her out.
Police said she was arrested again after refusing to pay $149 at Mole Mexican Bar and Grill. The New York Post reported it was her eighth arrest in connection with similar charges.
Court filings also show Chung is also facing eviction from her $3,350-a-month Williamsburg studio apartment, where she is nearly $40,000 behind on rent. The prestigious building is valued at $650 million and owned by entities linked to former Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
Despite Chung’s financial troubles, her social media accounts continue to feature designer clothing, luxury accessories, and poses from her waterfront studio. Her Instagram following has increased since her arrests have been made public.
Chung is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 3, to face theft-of-services charges, with bail set at $4,500. The hearing comes just days before her planned eviction from her Williamsburg apartment.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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