Key Takeaways

People join dating apps in hopes of finding their happily ever after. But a group of Grindr users in London experienced a nightmare instead. 

Dozens of people have reported being robbed in their own homes by men they met on Grindr. 

The Metropolitan Police in London has arrested three men in connection with the burglaries, all in their 20s. The men are allegedly behind approximately 50 burglary, theft, and fraud offenses that occurred between October 2024 and March 2025. 

Now, the police are appealing to victims who haven’t come forward to make an official report. 

“Our investigation is progressing at pace, but we believe there are a number of offences that have not yet been reported to us, so I urge anyone who may have been targeted, or may have crucial information that will help us with our enquiries, to contact us as soon as possible,” said Superintendent Owen Renowden. 

Victims were seemingly targeted on LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr, which has had a “serious impact on the safety of both individuals and communities,” Renowden said. Because of this, the Metropolitan Police are treating these alleged offenses as hate crimes. 

“I understand some people may be apprehensive about getting in touch with us, but I’d like to provide reassurance that all reports will be thoroughly investigated,” he added. 

Renowden alleged that the burglaries were far from spontaneous. “This is a series of pre-planned offences where unsuspecting victims have been targeted, often in their own homes, resulting in high-value items being taken.” 

The alleged perpetrators said they would gain victims’ trust under the guise of romance on Grindr, only to steal their phones and attempt to steal money. 

“In other reports we have received, they build a rapport with the victim while paying close attention to the pin number they enter into their phones before using distraction techniques to steal them, going on to make various digital payments and transactions,” Renowden said. 

Grindr’s Safety Measures Are in the Spotlight 

The sensitive nature of the case has put a spotlight on how dating apps, particularly those like Grindr that prioritize hookups, can keep users safe. 

“Always be cautious, do your own research, and trust your instincts,” Grindr advises in its Safety & Privacy guide. “Your safety is more important than seeming rude or potentially missing an opportunity to meet someone.” 

There’s nothing wrong with wanting a quick hookup, but Grindr advises users to do so with caution. The app encourages its members to learn more about a potential hookup’s background — “If you are in the US, learn how to search public records and other information to help identify if someone has a history of harm” — before meeting IRL. 

Consumers want to know that the people they’re connecting with on dating and hookup apps have been vetted by the app itself. In fact, 60% of survey respondents told Pew Research that online dating companies should run background checks on potential users.  

It’s unknown whether any of the victims in this case reported the crimes to Grindr; if so, Grindr’s reporting policy states that its moderation team typically evaluates the report to see if the reported individual breached Community Guidelines. 

This case highlights the need to educate dating app users about safety precautions, and to destigmatize seeking help if their trust is violated — criminally, or otherwise.  

The Investigation is Ongoing 

The Metropolitan Police is working with the LGBT+ Independent Advisory Group and the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, GALOP, to handle the case “with sensitivity and care,” Renowden said. 

“The Met Police is fully committed to ensuring all our communities in London feel safe, as well as continuing to enhance the trust and confidence LGBT+ people place in us,” he said, and emphasized the importance of potential victims coming forward:

“Organised crime has a devastating impact on society and your help will be key in helping us bring those responsible to justice.”

Of the men who were arrested, only one, who is 22 years old, was charged with burglary and fraud offenses; the two other men, aged 27 and 28, were charged with burglary, but are currently out on bail as the police continue their investigation.