Five arrested after men lured through fake Grindr profiles lose RM315,000 in cash and jewellery, Johor police say

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — Five men have been arrested over an alleged robbery scheme in which victims were lured through fake profiles on the dating app Grindr before being threatened and relieved of their valuables, Johor police said today.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the suspects, aged between 21 and 28, were believed to have targeted men by posing as potential romantic partners and arranging meetings through the social media platform.

According to The Star, the group is suspected of carrying out at least nine such robberies in Johor Bahru between January and May this year.

Ab Rahaman said victims were persuaded to meet the suspects for dates before being brought into a vehicle.

He said other members of the group would then allegedly appear and identify themselves as security personnel, accusing the victims of engaging in inappropriate activities in public places.

“The victims were threatened and assaulted before their personal belongings, including debit and credit cards, jewellery and cash, were taken from them,” he told a press conference in Johor Bahru.

Investigators also believe the victims were coerced into disclosing the PIN numbers to their bank cards, which were allegedly used to withdraw cash and purchase gold items.

Police said nine men aged between 25 and 40 had lodged reports over incidents that took place in the Taman Pelangi and Kampung Melayu Majidee areas, with total losses estimated at RM315,220.

Ab Rahaman said officers from the Johor Bahru South district police headquarters tracked down the suspects and arrested them in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, at about 11.30am on May 30.

Several items believed to be linked to the case were seized during the operation, including five mobile phones, a car, debit cards, jewellery and documentation relating to gold purchases.

The police chief said all five suspects had previous records involving robbery and drug-related offences, although urine tests conducted on them returned negative results.

He added that investigation papers had been submitted to the Johor prosecution office and that three of the five suspects were expected to be charged at the Johor Bahru Sessions Court tomorrow.

Police are also seeking another local man to assist in the investigation.