Millions of British adults regularly use popular dating platforms like Tinder, Grindr and Hinge to find romance and connection, but these digital spaces are increasingly being weaponised by criminals across London.
The Alarming Statistics Behind Dating App Crimes
According to the charity Crimestoppers, dating applications have become hunting grounds for fraudsters, stalkers and sexual predators. A concerning BBC investigation in 2022 revealed that 33% of dating app users reported experiencing harassment or abuse from someone they met through these platforms.
The same investigation uncovered that more than 6,000 people reported offences connected to dating applications between 2017 and 2021. While most users enjoy positive experiences, MyLondon's court reporting has documented numerous cases where these platforms facilitated serious crimes including rape, burglary and even murder.
Shocking Case Studies From London Courts
Sex Tape Abuser Preyed on Multiple Women
Kyle Gray-Willis demonstrated a disturbing pattern of targeting women through dating applications. Despite already having convictions for sending abusive messages to a woman on Hinge, he easily created a new account on Plenty of Fish where he found another victim.
After they began dating, Gray-Willis recorded their intimate encounters without consent and sent the footage to her sister in what prosecutors described as an attempt to 'degrade and humiliate' her. He later threatened to wait outside her workplace, physically assault her and vandalise her home.
Barrister Convicted of Tinder Date Rape
Robin Jacobs, a qualified barrister, argued during his trial that anal sex represented a 'natural progression' from vaginal sex during a Tinder date. The jury rejected his defence and convicted him of rape.
Medical evidence presented in court showed Jacobs caused cuts and bruising to his victim, who recalled him using a 'huge amount of force'. His subsequent appeal against the conviction was rejected by senior judges.
Met Police Officer Stalked Dating App Matches
Thomas Harthill's case proved particularly disturbing given his position within the Metropolitan Police. Despite working in a safeguarding unit that dealt with stalking victims, Harthill was convicted of stalking and found guilty of sexual misconduct by the Met's tribunal system.
After meeting a woman on Tinder, he forced her hand onto his penis and exposed himself during their date. He also became obsessed with another woman he met through a dating application, appearing unexpectedly at her bus stop during her commute home from work.
Organised Crime Groups Target Dating App Users
International Drug Gang Used Grindr
Two Colombian criminals, Brandon Conrado-Gamboa, 30, and Nelson Alexander Escobar Porras, flew specifically to London to target LGBTQ+ individuals using Grindr. The South American duo contacted victims through the gay dating application, then drugged them with sleeping pills before stealing high-value possessions.
They committed a series of aggravated burglaries between December 31 2022 and January 9 2023 in Brentford, Hampton, Hounslow and Bromley.
Grindr Burglary Ring Stole From 22 Victims
Another organised criminal operation saw Rahmat Khan Mohammadi, 22, of Harrow and Mohammed Bilal Hotak, 21, of Hackney steal from 22 people they befriended through Grindr. The pair committed 35 burglaries and 20 related frauds between October 2024 and March 2025.
Their method involved convincing victims to invite them into their homes, then distracting them to steal phones and obtain passcodes. They used nearby getaway cars and then hacked into victims' financial systems to make payments, withdraw cash or transfer money to separate accounts.
Protecting Yourself in the Digital Dating World
These cases highlight the importance of taking precautions when using dating applications. Experts recommend always meeting new matches in public places, informing friends or family about your plans, and being cautious about sharing personal information too quickly.
While dating platforms offer exciting opportunities to meet new people, users must remain aware that not everyone has honest intentions. The responsibility falls both on individuals to take safety measures and on dating application companies to implement stronger verification processes and reporting systems.
