Suspected Scammer Confronted by Sugarfire Smoke House Owner

A one-man scam is suspected of hitting the Sugarfire Smoke House in Olivette, and according to owner Mike Johnson, the scammer is experienced. Johnson said the scammer has hit 10 other restaurants that Johnson knows of.

Johnson previously owned a restaurant in University City. 

Johnson talked with the Riverfront Times, which reported the story on Monday. He said the scammer calls restaurants, says his order was mixed up and expects his money back. 

Johnson said he believed his story at first, but then talked to friends at other restaurants.

“They said he’d gotten them too, so I just confronted him when he got here, and that was the end of it,” he said.

It was almost the end of it. When the suspected scammer arrived at Sugarfire, Johnson confronted him.

“I told him, 'I’m taking your mug shot. Don’t move,' and he didn’t move,” Johnson said.

The man is also suspected of running the scam at Roxanne, Frida’s Deli in University City and Fozzie's Sandwich Emporium in Richmond Heights, according to the article.

The full article, including more details about the scam, is available on the Riverfront Times website.