Five Men Sentenced for Dating App Robberies

A gang of five men has been sentenced to nearly 80 years in prison for a series of violent robberies targeting users of dating apps like Grindr, resulting in thefts exceeding £100,000 across Birmingham and Derby. The group lured victims under the pretense of romantic interest, only to ambush and physically assault them, often using weapons and threats to instill fear. The Birmingham Crown Court handed down sentences ranging from 12 to 17 years, with the gang members found guilty of crimes that included severe physical injuries to the victims and the manipulation of their phones to steal money during captivity. The police highlighted the targeting of vulnerable individuals, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, classifying these acts as hate crimes. In a separate incident in Ghaziabad, India, another gang was arrested for extorting money from men through similar tactics on dating apps, illustrating a troubling global trend of exploitation in online dating environments. These incidents underscore the urgent need for increased safety measures and awareness for users of digital platforms.