Dating apps like Tinder, Badoo, and Grindr have become hazardous spaces filled with scammers, swindlers, and criminals. Former users have reported instances of fake profiles and people arranging meet-ups to steal belongings. For example, Refilwe Molapo, a student in Pretoria, shared her bad experience with a Tinder meet-up where she was scammed by a man who claimed to have sent a cash send via WhatsApp to pay the bill.
Grindr is also considered dangerous, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly gay men. Numerous cases of victims being abducted via Grindr by gangs demanding ransom from their families, with threats of harm or death if the family does not comply. Last year, a Wits student was lured by kidnappers via Grindr and was found bound and unconscious at a men's hostel. Seven suspects were arrested for kidnapping the student.
TikTok user Tshepi TM shared a chilling account of being forcibly removed from a car and robbed of all his belongings, including his ID. His captors then demanded R20,000 for his safe release, and it took him a long time to heal from the ordeal, even contemplating taking his own life.
The dangers of using Grindr have been a growing concern within the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly among gay men. Many individuals have shared their experiences or heard about incidents involving scams and violence allegedly through various platforms like TikTok, prompting widespread awareness efforts to caution others about these risks.
These incidents leave victims feeling violated, traumatized, and deeply mistrustful, leading to severe psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, and a reluctance to engage in future relationships. The emotional scars from such betrayals are often long-lasting and can significantly disrupt the victims' lives.
Dating apps initially designed to bring people together have become platforms where unsuspecting users fall prey to criminals, underscoring the urgent need for stronger user protections and awareness of the potential dangers lurking on these platforms.
