In a chilling case highlighting the intersection of digital dating and violent crime, the Greater Noida Police have uncovered a gang allegedly preying on gay men via the popular dating app Grindr. Over the past week, the gang executed at least two known robberies, but police fear many more incidents remain unreported due to the victims’ fear of social stigma.
A Network of Deception: From Online Chats to Isolated Car Rides
On Friday, Surajpur Police arrested six men, identified as Vishal (21), Shivam (19), Yash (21), Mohit Singh Solanki (19), Aman, and Suraj Singh, from different parts of Greater Noida and Aligarh. The arrests were made during a raid along the 130-meter road, a location notorious for isolated patches ideal for such ambushes.
According to DCP Central Noida Shakti Mohan Awasthi, the gang used meticulously crafted Grindr profiles to reach out to potential victims. After casual chats, they convinced the victims to meet, often choosing secluded spots under the pretence of privacy. Once the victims arrived, they were ushered into a Hyundai Aura car, where two accomplices were already waiting.
Inside the vehicle, victims were reportedly beaten and threatened at gunpoint or knifepoint. The gang would then force them to unlock their mobile phones and initiate money transfers via UPI. In some cases, they seized cash, jewellery, and other valuables. Victims were later dumped in deserted areas, left traumatized and wary of reporting the crimes.
Digital Trails and Physical Assaults: How the Gang Operated
Two significant cases stand out in the investigation:
- 19 June Incident: A man was lured via Grindr and called to Rupbas Tirahe. He was assaulted inside a car, robbed of his mobile phone, and forced to transfer money. The gang discarded his phone afterwards to erase digital traces.
- 25 June Incident: Another victim was called outside the Migsun Green Society. Similarly, he was assaulted, his mobile seized, and forced to transfer money before being abandoned.
Seized from the accused were:
- A Hyundai Aura car without number plates
- ₹19,500 cash
- Two country-made pistols
- Two knives
Adding a financial layer to the operation, police say two gang members, Aman and Suraj, acted as the network’s “money mules,” moving stolen funds for a 20% commission, while the remaining 80% went to the primary operatives.
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Beyond Robbery: The Shadow of Social Stigma
DCP Awasthi stated that the accused exploited the fear of social shame. Many victims didn’t come forward immediately, fearing exposure of their sexual orientation. He suspects more victims are out there.
Police are investigating further, including tracing digital financial transactions and potential other victims. The case underscores a dangerous nexus of digital dating apps and criminal exploitation, particularly targeting vulnerable LGBTQ users who may hesitate to approach law enforcement due to stigma.