A woman dining in Williamsburg, dressed in high-end fashion, is at risk of being deported to Taiwan, according to reports.
Pei Chong, a 34-year-old aspiring influencer, found herself in jail on charges related to stealing services after allegedly dining and dashing at over 11 upscale restaurants in Brooklyn since October.
Additionally, an immigration warrant has been issued against her, as noted on the Department of Corrections website. Law enforcement states that she overstayed her student visa.
Chong will likely have to attend a hearing with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following her court date on Wednesday, according to immigration attorney Gadi Zohar.
“Once her visa expires, that could trigger her deportation,” Zohar speculated, considering the possible outcomes for Chong.
He noted that the criminal charges might have been the catalyst for the immigration warrant, suggesting that officials will likely apprehend her from Rikers and transfer her to an immigration detention facility.
The details surrounding Chong’s immigration status and her right to work in the U.S. remain unclear.
This self-described “influencer” often showcases her designer outfits on Instagram, featuring luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Hermès. She arrived in the U.S. on a scholarship to attend Pratt Institute in Brooklyn from 2019 until 2021. Reports indicate she might not have any family members in the United States.
Her LinkedIn profile reveals that her most recent position was as a consultant for Chase Bank in 2023, where she worked for eight months in user experience design.
Chong has been arrested multiple times for not paying for at least 11 high-end meals at various restaurants in Brooklyn, and during this time, she took photos of her meals for her blog, even claiming previous work as a UX/UI designer at LinkedIn from late 2021 until September 2022.
Shortly after her last job ended, Chong reportedly stopped paying rent on a $3,350-a-month studio apartment in a luxury building owned by former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. She is up against eviction proceedings for falling behind on $40,000 in rent, with a court-ordered deadline to vacate that coincides with her custody status.
Despite a bail set at $4,500, she remains in custody. Zohar emphasized that raising the bail won’t guarantee her release due to immigration officials’ involvement.
Chong had been arrested while attending a gathering at the Mall Mexican Bar and Grill, where she allegedly ordered $149 worth of food without paying.
“I don’t think ‘right’ is the right term here,” remarked John Winterman, owner of Francie’s restaurant, which has fallen victim to her scams. His comments came after he learned about her recent arrest.
Her arrest occurred shortly after she dined at a restaurant called Hole in the Wall, where she had previously attempted similar dining fraud. Moreover, it was reported that she offered sex in exchange for complimentary meals at the famous Peter Luger Steakhouse.
While she may have enjoyed upscale dishes such as foie gras and carbonara, it seems the future meals at Rikers will be more basic, featuring items like “pizza pockets” with steamed cabbage and cucumber salad.
