Fake Food Influencer Creates Fresh Scene at Former Luxury Residence
Pei Chung, the 35-year-old fake food influencer who gained notoriety for tormenting New York City restaurants in a brazen dine-and-dash spree, sparked a fresh disturbance on Monday night at the luxury apartment building she once called home. This incident occurred months after her eviction over $40,000 in unpaid rent, marking another chapter in her troubled saga.
Multiple Arrests and Mental Health Evaluation
Chung, originally from Taiwan, was arrested multiple times late last year for allegedly skipping out on at least eight substantial restaurant tabs across Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood. During these incidents, she was often dressed head-to-toe in designer clothing while conducting her shameless campaign that lasted more than a month. She was ultimately charged with five counts of theft of service and held on Rikers Island.
Those charges were dropped earlier this month after a judge found her mentally unfit to stand trial. She was subsequently released to a psychiatric center on March 12 for evaluation and treatment.
Latest Disturbance at Former Residence
On Monday night at approximately 6:30 PM, police were called to the ritzy waterfront building at 416 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg after a doorman reported a hostile former tenant causing a disturbance in the lobby and refusing to leave. The Daily Mail confirmed the former tenant was Chung.
Bystanders observed the petite aspiring influencer sitting on a gray couch in the lobby, clutching a large brown envelope as two NYPD officers stood nearby. Paramedics were also summoned to the scene, and Chung eventually left willingly in an ambulance. According to an NYPD spokesperson, she was transported to a local psychiatric center and held for evaluation.
Eviction and Financial Contrast
Chung was evicted from 416 Kent Avenue in early December while still in custody on Rikers Island, after defaulting on more than $40,000 in rent. She had resided in the building since 2021 but stopped paying her $3,350 monthly studio rent in August 2024, according to official records.
This financial reality stood in stark contrast to the glamorous lifestyle she projected online. Her Instagram account was filled with images showcasing shopping hauls at luxury brands like Hermès and Prada, softly lit mirror selfies, and carefully plated meals from some of New York City's most exclusive restaurants.
Notorious Restaurant Campaign
Chung first gained public attention in October last year for all the wrong reasons. Over a four-week period, she was arrested seven times for allegedly running up large tabs at popular Williamsburg restaurants. In some instances, she attempted to barter with restaurant staff by offering to post photos of her meals on social media instead of paying.
When restaurants refused her offers, she allegedly declined to pay her bills. On some occasions, police escorted her out in handcuffs, while on others she managed to slip out before officers arrived.
Neighbor Complaints and Building Management Response
While Chung's alleged restaurant antics shocked many within Brooklyn's dining scene, some of her neighbors expressed little surprise. Several residents previously told the Daily Mail that she had been tormenting them for months with erratic behavior, including late-night screaming fits, blasting music so loudly that walls shook, and allegedly vandalizing doors and hallways.
Residents reported repeatedly complaining to building management about safety concerns but claimed little action was taken. Instead, they say they were told they could break their leases if they felt unsafe. A building manager responded to one complaint by stating there was an active legal case against Chung and suggesting residents call 911 if they ever felt threatened.
Eviction Process and Belongings
On December 2, while Chung remained in custody on Rikers Island, law enforcement and building management were seen boxing up her belongings and loading them into a moving truck. During a typical City Marshal eviction, a tenant's possessions are transferred to a licensed moving and storage company, which inventories and transports them to an off-site facility.
Tenants are then notified how to reclaim their property, usually by paying moving and storage fees. If items are not retrieved within a set period, they can be auctioned off or discarded to satisfy outstanding debts. The ultimate fate of Chung's belongings remains unclear.
Ongoing Legal and Personal Challenges
A public defender who previously represented Chung did not respond to requests for comment about her current situation. The nature of her dispute with the doorman on Monday night also remains unclear, though she left the building still clutching a large brown envelope but otherwise empty-handed.
Chung documented some of her disputes with neighbors on Instagram, including posts where she railed against a 'black family' on her floor for allegedly closing their door 'too loudly.' Other clips showed her grinning as deafening music blared or peering into hallways while making disruptive noises.
