"Exposed on Social Media"...The Fate of French Tourists Who Tried a 70,000 Won 'Eat and Run' in Italy

French Tourists Caught After "Eat and Run" at Italian Pizzeria
Tracked Down Through CCTV and Online Tips

Two French tourists were caught after attempting a so-called "eat and run" at a pizzeria in Italy, leaving without paying for their meal, thanks to tips from local residents and online reports.

The closed-circuit (CC)TV footage released by Michela Malatini. Le Parisien

According to a report by the French daily Le Parisien on the 24th (local time), the incident occurred on the evening of the 19th in Civitanova Marche, a coastal town in eastern Italy. The tourists ordered two pizzas and four cocktails, consuming a total worth of 44 euros (approximately 70,000 won), and then casually left without paying. The restaurant staff on duty at the time did not notice what had happened. The owner, Michela Malatini, realized the situation later, checked the internal closed-circuit (CC)TV footage, captured images of the two tourists, and posted them on Facebook.

Afterward, a comment was posted on the Facebook post stating, "The tourists are staying at a local accommodation." Upon receiving this tip, Malatini went directly to the location. She told local media, "I knocked on the door of their accommodation at 8:30 a.m. and they were still sleeping." She continued, "I showed them the footage and asked, 'Why didn't you pay your bill?' They simply handed over the money without saying a word or offering any apology," describing the situation at the time.

Malatini expressed her anger, saying, "This is not simply a matter of money, but an issue of respect and courtesy." She added that such behavior from customers feels like "a slap in the face" to those who work to serve them. She further emphasized, "Tourists should remember that if they attempt an 'eat and run,' they can easily be tracked down through surveillance cameras."