Dating app used to rob and kidnap queer people - four suspects arrested

Dating app used to rob and kidnap queer people - four suspects arrestedThe suspects would lure victims to secluded areas, where they would be kidnapped and robbed of their belongings.

by Storm Simpson

16-02-2023 08:05

in LGBTQIA

Police have arrested four men for allegedly using a dating app to target and rob members of the LGBTQ community in Johannesburg. Images: Supplied.

Four suspects were arrested for allegedly kidnapping and robbing members of the queer community. The suspects were nabbed at a restaurant in Parktown on Sunday, 12 February.

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SUSPECTS NABBED FOR TARGETING QUEER COMMUNITY The men who have been targeting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community would utilise a dating app designed for this community to target and lure victims to secluded places, kidnap and then rob them, said national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

On Sunday, one of the suspects lured a 26-year-old man he had been chatting with to a secluded area and hijacked, kidnapped and robbed him of his personal belongings, including his bank cards.

The suspects proceeded to make several purchases with the victim's bank cards, said the police spokesperson.

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The matter was reported to the Mondeor Police Station. On the same day of the incident, the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team operationalised information and swooped on the suspects.

The four men had gathered at a restaurant in Parktown on the day of the kidnapping and were caught in possession of the victim's belongings - bank cards, wallet, bag and cellphone.

Image: SAPS

However, the victim's car - a Mercedes-Benz C180 - is yet to be recovered. The victim has been reunited with his family after his rescue.

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The suspects are named Thabiso Ndlovu, 33, Ndumiso Mahlangu, 27, Sibusiso Tshabalala, 27 and Elson Nyathi, 25.

The four men each face a charge of hijacking, kidnapping and extortion. They have already appeared before the Booysens Magistrate's Court.

All roleplayers involved in working together with members of the SAPS to take down this syndicate are appreciated, and they are JMPD K-9, Gauteng Traffic, Tracker Connect and members of the private security industry, said Mathe.

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