Watch: UK woman caught on CCTV planting hair in food to score free meal

A woman at the Observatory restaurant in Blackburn, UK, intentionally placed strands of her hair on her plate after eating part of her dinner, all in an attempt to obtain a free meal. She proceeded to cause a disturbance, falsely asserting that she had discovered hair in her food.

Responding to her complaint, Tom Croft, the restaurant's proprietor, initially issued a refund.

Unbeknownst to the customer, her actions were recorded by the restaurant's surveillance system. Reviewing the footage to ensure his staff followed proper hygiene procedures, Croft uncovered the truth. The video clearly showed the woman having a quiet conversation with a male companion, during which she discreetly pulled hair from her head and placed it on her plate.



In an effort to alert fellow business owners to such fraudulent tactics, Croft took to Facebook, sharing the incriminating CCTV footage along with a cautionary message. While reluctant to expose the customer, he emphasised the challenges faced by the restaurant industry due to dishonest behaviour. He hoped that sharing the incident would prevent other establishments from falling prey to similar scams.

Croft's final words in his post urged vigilance, reminding others in the hospitality sector to be wary of potential fraudsters who might go to great lengths to secure a free meal at the expense of hardworking businesses.

Posted on November 5, the viral post garnered over 15,000 views, sparking widespread outrage among viewers. Many sympathised with Croft in the comments, condemning the woman's audacity and questioning if this was her first attempt at such a scam.