Five Arrested in Malaysia for Using Grindr to Lure and Rob Gay Men
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Police have arrested five men accused of using fake profiles on the dating app Grindr to lure gay men into meetings, then robbing them in coordinated assaults.
Authorities said the suspects arranged encounters with at least nine victims between January and May 2026. One suspect would pose as a date and meet victims in public places, after which an accomplice, pretending to be a security guard, would confront them and accuse them of engaging in “indecent acts,” according to police reports.
Victims were allegedly assaulted and forced to surrender cash, jewellery, and debit cards. Suspects reportedly coerced victims into revealing PIN numbers to withdraw additional funds. The total value of items stolen is reported to be around RM315,000 (approximately US$73,000).
The five suspects, aged between 21 and 28, were arrested in Johor. Police recovered items believed to belong to the victims during the operation. Three of the men have been charged with robbery causing hurt, while the other two have agreed to serve as prosecution witnesses.
All five had prior records for robbery and drug-related offences, though drug tests following their arrests returned negative results. Police are also seeking another local man to assist with the investigation.
Authorities said the suspects arranged encounters with at least nine victims between January and May 2026. One suspect would pose as a date and meet victims in public places, after which an accomplice, pretending to be a security guard, would confront them and accuse them of engaging in “indecent acts,” according to police reports.
Victims were allegedly assaulted and forced to surrender cash, jewellery, and debit cards. Suspects reportedly coerced victims into revealing PIN numbers to withdraw additional funds. The total value of items stolen is reported to be around RM315,000 (approximately US$73,000).
The five suspects, aged between 21 and 28, were arrested in Johor. Police recovered items believed to belong to the victims during the operation. Three of the men have been charged with robbery causing hurt, while the other two have agreed to serve as prosecution witnesses.
All five had prior records for robbery and drug-related offences, though drug tests following their arrests returned negative results. Police are also seeking another local man to assist with the investigation.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals in Malaysia, where same-sex sexual activity remains illegal and social stigma is widespread. Grindr has previously faced scrutiny in various countries regarding user safety and the misuse of its platform for criminal activity.
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