A Midlands restaurant has been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after a conman booked a bogus birthday party. La Storia, an Italian restaurant in West Bridgford, Nottingham, was scammed out of £5,850 after a man claimed to be organising a surprise party for his wife.
How the scam unfolded
The booking was made for 30 people on Wednesday, May 20, for a four-course meal and a birthday cake. The man paid a £2,000 deposit by credit card and an additional £3,850 for a band to provide entertainment. Owner Anton Sarricchio said the transaction seemed legitimate, with the man explaining he wanted to pay by credit card to keep the surprise from his wife, with whom he shared a bank account.
With the payment pending, Mr Sarricchio transferred funds from the restaurant's account to a NatWest account he believed belonged to the musician. The booking was made via email, with further messages and a phone call to discuss menu options. Mr Sarricchio did not initially suspect fraud, noting that while the restaurant usually meets private event clients in person, the man claimed to be out of the country.
Suspicions raised
Mr Sarricchio became suspicious when the man requested an additional transfer to a photographer. He contacted his card provider, who advised seeking identification and a signed invoice, but the man avoided providing them. After the man failed to answer questions about the band or send an invoice, Mr Sarricchio cancelled the event and informed the man he suspected fraud.
The restaurant is now down £3,850 and had no bookings for Wednesday night, a significant blow to the small business. The incident has been reported to HSBC, but Mr Sarricchio cannot file a fraud claim until after the supposed event date. He also reported it to Report Fraud, which tackles cybercrime in the UK.
Community support
Mr Sarricchio acknowledged his naivety, saying, "On my part it was a bit of naivety. You're running around and you think it's all legitimate. It's embarrassing." He warned other businesses to be vigilant, noting that many restaurants are quiet and may be tempted by large bookings.
Since revealing the scam, La Storia has become fully booked for Wednesday night. Mr Sarricchio said, "The whole community really showed their support for us when needed." A Report Fraud spokesperson confirmed they received the report and it is being assessed.
