Jailed Fake NYC Food Influencer Evicted – Owes Landlord £30,286

Pei Chung, a food influencer at the centre of a sensational dine-and-dash scandal in Brooklyn, has been evicted from her luxury apartment while jailed on theft charges.

The eviction underscores a dramatic fall from digital fame to real-life consequences. In a swift legal move, city officials changed the locks on her Williamsburg residence, leaving her personal belongings inside and securing the landlord's claim amid allegations of nearly £32,000 ($40,000) in unpaid rent. The eviction follows a criminal case in which she faces multiple charges for allegedly dining at high-end restaurants, posting lavish meal photos on social media, and walking out without paying.

From Insta-glamour to Eviction Notice

Chung, 34, allegedly built a facade of luxury online: dining at upscale eateries in designer outfits, documenting gourmet meals for her followers, and portraying herself as a legitimate food influencer.

In reality, however, she is accused of repeatedly skipping out on bills. As one account notes, she 'ordered $149 (£118) in food' at a Brooklyn restaurant and then refused to pay.

Her most recent arrest landed her in jail at Rikers Island, with bail set at $4,500 (£3,580), after authorities say she had racked up multiple prior charges of 'theft of services.'

Rent Unpaid, Reputation Unravelled

Court documents and reporting suggest that Chung has also fallen behind on her rent by a substantial margin. Her studio apartment in a luxury building reportedly owned by former New York governor Eliot Spitzer has reportedly accrued arrears of nearly $40,000 (£32,000).

Neighbours and building management allegedly complained of repeated disturbances, noise, and visible disorder, problems that, according to internal correspondence, led the landlord to prioritise eviction proceedings.

Legal Consequences Deepen as Scandal Grows

Her case is being closely watched not only for its criminal justice implications but also for the social backlash it has triggered among restaurant owners and fellow residents. An employee at one of the eateries she allegedly targeted described being offered household items, including kitchen scissors, instead of payment.

Meanwhile, authorities have said she will undergo a psychiatric evaluation after her lawyer argued she may not fully understand the charges or be able to communicate with her counsel.

What This Means Beyond the Headlines

The case has prompted rising vigilance among restaurants. Several establishments across Brooklyn are now reportedly warning each other and sharing information about the alleged dine-and-dash incidents.

For landlords and tenants, it serves as a cautionary tale. The eviction of a high-profile tenant amid unpaid rent and social-media illusions highlights the fragility of image-driven lifestyles when real-world obligations are ignored.

For the broader public, it is a stark reminder that social-media glamour can mask far deeper problems: financial, legal, and personal. The fallout for Pei Chung now includes jail time, eviction, debt, and a ruined reputation.

Her case is scheduled to return to court; meanwhile, her former home remains locked up, her possessions stored, and her digital followers left to reckon with the very real consequences of a deceitful online persona.