Man accused of using dating apps to trap victims arrested

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested a 37-year-old man in Tshwane on suspicion of over ten cases of rape and one murder.

The suspect is believed to have used online dating sites such as Tinder to lure victims to his residence in Eersterust, Pretoria.

According to police, the suspect allegedly raped his victims until the most recent incident where he murdered a woman who he then buried in a shallow grave on his residence.

This incident was brought to the authorities’ attention, which resulted in an investigation into the matter.

The investigation led authorities to the suspect’s “hiding place” in Mentz Village in Limpopo, where a joint operation between Tshwane and Limpopo police departments resulted in his arrest.

Members of the Limpopo Tracking Team, Limpopo Provincial Investigation Unit, Silverton Detectives, Tshwane FCS, and Tshwane District Detectives were involved in the operation.

The suspect will appear before the Pretoria Central Magistrate’s Court facing several cases of rape, murder, and defeating the ends of justice.

Following the arrest, Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe warned members of the community, especially women, about using dating sites.

“As we celebrate women’s month, let’s be cautious at all times, and mind who we associate ourselves with,” Hadebe said.

“Report any suspicious movements or abuse to the Police, always share your location with your family and avoid meeting strangers in private spaces.” 

The police have urged anyone who has been a victim of the suspect to report to their local police stations to assist with ongoing investigations.

Dating apps are increasingly being used for nefarious ends. There have been numerous cases where users have been targeted by people who robbed, assaulted, raped, kidnapped and/or murdered them.

A Wits University student was recently kidnapped by a group of men who had allegedly lured him through online LGBTQ dating app, Grindr.  

The app itself issued a warning to its South African users over the rise in kidnapping’s linked to their own platform.

Earlier this year, police in Australia reported that perpetrators were using Grindr to lure victims to specific areas to rob, kidnap, and assault them.

Similarly, five men were arrested in the UK in January for robbing and assaulting victims lured to a location using the platform.

The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) has warned of criminals who prowl these sites looking for victims to scam.

“These scammers are con artists and are skilled at building trust and making victims fall in love with them as they pose as their ideal partner,” Sabric says.

“Once the victim’s defences are lowered and they become emotionally vulnerable, they trick you into giving them money.”