NSW Police told The Feed it recorded 44 incidents linked to LGBTIQ+ dating apps from June last year, with crimes including aggravated robbery, assault, and extortion.

They say other attackers’ motivations include generalised prejudice and financial gain, especially against men who may not have their sexuality identified to family or friends.

From a safe space to a criminal hotspot

The Feed contacted Grindr multiple times for comment.

Grindr allows users to message any account, without needing to “match” prior. Source: Supplied

Grindr may step in and suspend an account until it verify users’ ID if they suspect they’re underage.

“I had no phone charge … no way of getting out. I was drunk. I tell as many people as I can [because] so many bad things could’ve happened to me. I could’ve been raped, murdered, kidnapped. I’m very lucky.”

Police say dating apps such as Grindr are being used by criminals to target the LGBTIQ+ community. Source: Getty / Robert Way

She said her experiences have made her “paranoid and suspicious” on the app and has had to devise her own method of verifying users.

“It makes me scared to be on dating apps and to meet people because you could be targeted … you could be a victim so easily”.

While Stuart showered, he was being robbed

“The question people have asked is, ‘why did you go up with him?’ … I thought ‘whatever’, even though I had red flags, I had alarm bells going off in my mind,” Stuart said.

“Almost $2,000 had been taken,” Stuart said.

NSW Local Court media told The Feed that a man was convicted in his absence earlier this year over the incident for dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and possessing identity information to commit an indictable offence.

Why many victims stay silent

“There is also a reluctance for victims to go to police because the sensitive nature of the crime.”

Police in NSW and Victoria told The Feed in the last year, there’s been an increase in crimes against LGBTIQ+ people through the apps designed for them. Source: Getty

When Stuart started discussing the experience in the community, he realised he wasn’t alone.

“I understand distrust of the police. I understand being in the closet feeling ashamed. And I did – I felt ashamed. I felt embarrassed. But I’m somebody who will speak out when I think something is wrong.”

Are dating apps doing enough?

Grindr offers resources such as a scam awareness guide to help users have a safer experience on the app and identify and avoid scams.

The Feed has approached Grindr for comment.

The bigger picture

“ACON and NSW Police are also working to raise awareness and suggest ways people can protect their own safety such as meeting in public, verifying identities, and sharing your location with trusted friends when meeting up with people from dating apps.”