This past Sunday afternoon, dozens of men arrived at Union Square thinking they were catching a DJ set with a Tinder date. Instead, they arrived to realize they were all just pawns in a classic, brilliantly executed New York City scam. [Update: Would you believe that a viral video producer is claiming to have helped produce this "mass date"?]

Spencer M. told Gothamist that he matched on Tinder with a woman named Natasha around a month ago.

"She contacted me, she said, 'Hey we should get a drink sometime. But, oh, I got held up by this presentation so let's do it later.' So a month goes by and she says 'Hey, I'm finally free, do you wanna meet me at Union Square for my friend's DJ set, we'll get a drink and we'll see what happens'" Spencer said, noting that Natasha used the winky face emoji at the end.



The texts Natasha sent to another Tinder match (Courtesy of a Gothamist reader)

Spencer said he arrived at the north east end of Union Square on Sunday afternoon around 6 p.m., to find "a huge sausage fest."

"There were hundreds of guys waiting for this DJ, but little did I know they were waiting for her as well."

When the woman he knew as Natasha took the stage, Spencer says he left.

"I'm not saying that I have the most self-respect in the world, but who the fuck would stay?"

I am about to tell you an epic tale about subterfuge, dating in the 21st century and the fall of human civilization. This actually happened to me and it could happen to you too. Get some popcorn. *Thread* — миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

Nicholas, 28, from Union City, New Jersey, said that he stayed so he could "look her right in the eye to see if she actually stated her premise in a clear way. Never happened."

He showed Gothamist a series of messages from Natasha about a free DJ set in Union Square, long after they initially matched. "insta @natashavaponte if you forgot" she added, with a smiling, sweaty emoji.

"The gist of it was she wanted to do Live Tinder. Folks were pretty mad," Nicholas said, adding that she appeared to have security and staff helping her with the show. "And she started calling the different characteristics she doesn't like. 'If you're Puerto Rican and support Trump leave!' 'If you have a long beard leave.' Then she did a competition."

A video shows a group of men lined up for a race.

"The majority of the group, like 95 percent, were like aaahhh, watching as the fucking idiots fell in line to her demands to do push ups and run...She did a live swipe line, right and left. I left at that point."

Natasha's Instagram account describes her as an "Actress, model, singer." Telephone calls to the number that Natasha used in at least one exchange went to a voicemail box with a message from a woman who says she's Natasha. The voicemail box is full.

At that point I am genuinely amazed at the fallopian fortitude this girl possesses. This is top 10 greatest finesse of all time. Dudes actually stayed and played. — миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

"When there are red flags, sometimes you ignore them," said Spencer M., who is a 22-year-old social media intern. Since yesterday, he has started to speak to other guys who Natasha scammed. "It's like a support group now," he said.

"It's an amazing story," Spencer added. "And as far as scams go, it wasn't that bad. I spent $2.75 on a subway ticket. The only one who it really backfired on was her."

UPDATE: Another tipster who matched with Natasha but didn't attend the event sent over this screenshot of an Instagram story she posted last night, apparently from a pre-party for the MTV Video Music Awards. A rep for MTV says that the network had nothing to do with the scam.



(via a tipster)

YET ANOTHER VITAL UPDATE: Rob Bliss, who helped produce that viral New York City catcalling video in 2014, says he is also behind this stunt. Read more here.

Additional reporting from Ben Yakas.