Alert: Reports of Gay Dating App Attacks in Southern Gauteng

Reports have emerged of abduction and extortion targeting gay men via dating apps in the Orange Farm and Vaal areas, located south of Johannesburg in Gauteng.

According to an unverified social media post, a group of men is allegedly using fake profiles on Tinder to lure their victims. In one incident, a young man was reportedly abducted and forced to pay R10,000 to prevent his private images from being published online.

OUT LGBT Well-being expressed alarm over these reports, condemning the targeting of LGBTIQ+ individuals by criminals exploiting their need for connection and companionship.

“These incidents are not merely opportunistic crimes—they are hate crimes, weaponising the community’s specific vulnerabilities and marginalisation,” the organisation stated.

“We call on law enforcement to investigate and prosecute these acts with the seriousness they deserve. The emotional and psychological toll on victims, and the wider LGBTIQ+ community, is profound and long-lasting.”

Ongoing Threats to the LGBTIQ+ Community

So-called “Grindr gang” syndicates have plagued the LGBTIQ+ community for years, with only a handful of cases leading to prosecutions.

OUT noted that many of these crimes go unreported due to victims’ fears of stigma, shame, and secondary victimisation by authorities. This perpetuates a cycle of silence and impunity.

The organisation urged the LGBTIQ+ community to remain vigilant when using dating apps and to report any incidents to the police or trusted LGBTIQ+ support organisations.

For more information about the risks of online dating in South Africa and safety tips, click here.

Ongoing Legal Cases

Two major cases of dating app-related extortion and kidnapping are currently underway in South Africa.

In Johannesburg, seven men are set to stand trial in February. They are accused of luring an 18-year-old Wits student to a fake date via Grindr on 19 September 2023.

The suspects allegedly held the student against his will, subjected him to severe physical assault, and demanded a ransom of R30,000 from his family. 

In Cape Town, three men are facing similar charges in connection with several Grindr gang attacks on queer men. At least six victims have come forward in this case.