Gay men targeted by syndicate

Lured by the prospect of love through a queer dating app, a number of gay men have found themselves arriving for dates only to be robbed, locked in car boots, and driven around to ATMs while a suspected syndicate depletes their bank accounts.

Gqeberha police and Namibian Queer lobby group Out & Proud are investigating the series of complaints where several men looking for love have instead been robbed of their money, cellphones, cars and dignity.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said they were investigating a syndicate comprising four men, all using fake profiles on Grindr.

She said the same modus operandi was followed where the culprits established connections with their targets, before arranging to meet.

“The victims are then met by four suspects, who rob them of their cash,” Naidu said.

“In some cases, the victims are placed in the boot of [their] car and driven around until all their cash is withdrawn from their accounts.

“The suspects at times use their [victim’s] banking app to increase the daily withdrawal limit and then withdraw the cash at an ATM.

“The victim is then dropped off and the suspects disappear.”

On occasion, their cars are stolen as well.

The most recent incident occurred earlier in October.

However, close to 10 cases have been reported in Gqeberha since 2020.

Out & Proud’s Tony Macpherson said they were perturbed by the spate of attacks.

“We are deeply concerned by the recent surge in attacks against gay men in Gqeberha,” he said.

“This distressing trend has persisted for an unacceptable duration.

“We are fully cognisant of the reported grievances and implore law enforcement to swiftly apprehend those responsible.

“It is disheartening to witness the targeting of individuals solely based on their sexual orientation.”

Macpherson said they were trying everything in their power to stop the attacks.

“We are exerting every possible effort to provide support to the victims and put an end to these attacks.

“The continuation of such incidents is intolerable.”

Northern areas resident Cameron Bird, 28, said he had been duped out of about R1,000 shortly after signing up on Grindr earlier in 2023.

“I decided to try out Grindr for the first time.

“I was curious and had recently come out of the closet.

“My profile wasn’t active on there for too long when I got some pictures from this really good-looking guy who was super nice,” Bird said.

“We decided to meet up at his place, and I was pretty excited.

“I could hardly sleep the night before.”

Bird said things had felt a bit weird on the morning of their date.

“The meeting spot kept changing.

“First it was his house, then a restaurant, and then some random place.

“I told him to make up his mind, and he sent me a location pin. So, I just went there,” he said.

“When I got there, I saw him standing alone at first, but then two or three other guys showed up.

“They shoved me into my boot and drove me around town, insisting that I hand over cash.

“Luckily, they didn’t hurt me, but I was very scared.

“After a while, they brought me back to where we first met, and then they took off.”

Feeling scared and embarrassed, Bird said, he went back home.

In a similar incident, Wayne Enver said he had been away for a week in Butterworth and the same night he returned home to Gqeberha he had decided to explore the app.

“Now I honestly wish I didn’t,” he said.

“I chatted to this guy for about 15 minutes and he wanted to meet up.

“I was already in my pyjamas and had to get dressed.

“He was very convincing and said the sweetest things.

“I had to fetch him at a garage, which I did. He then showed me where to drive to.

“But it was at that spot where the other guys were waiting.

“They demanded my phone, wallet and other [items].

“I was reluctant at first, but they became aggressive.”

After robbing him, they left.

“I just started crying,” he said.

A 24-year-old, who declined to be named, said he was still in shock after his harrowing experience in 2022.

“It’s something that still bothers me to this day.”

He did not want to go into too much detail, saying only that the police were investigating the matter.

Another man, in his 30s, who also did not want to be named, said he had been “catfished on the app last year”.

He said the profile of the man he was chatting to had appeared so real that he had agreed to meet him.

“When I got there, things turned ugly.

“They took more than R2,000 in cash from me and my cellphone.

“Afterwards, I was pretty scared and honestly, I’m still scared.

“I haven’t used that app since.

“It’s difficult for me since I am not yet out of the closet and so I can’t speak to people about it as much as I would like to.”

Anti-crime lobby group Action Society director Ian Cameron said his organisation was also looking into the matter.

“We often see that crimes like this being laughed at.

“I think it’s important that the app itself be managed better and, if not, it should not be available in SA — it’s that simple,” Cameron said.

“It’s very sad that something like that [Grindr] is abused to hurt people.”

Naidu urged people to be cautious when using any dating app.

“Police are advising people using this app or similar apps to always be on their guard and to be cautious.

“When meeting someone for the first time, choose a well-lit, public place like a coffee shop or a restaurant.

“Avoid secluded or private locations.

“Remember that while online dating can be great to meet people, taking precautions is essential to protect yourself,” she said.

Questions were sent to Grindr, however only a reference number had been received by the time of publication.

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