Grindr-Related Crimes Prompt Sentences in South Africa and Mass Arrests in Tamil Nadu

In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, four men were sentenced to effective 15‑year terms for kidnapping and robbery offenses carried out through fake Grindr profiles. The Durban Regional Court convicted Khumdulani Ngubane, Nkanyiso Ndebele, Celimpilo Nkomo and Mzwemvelo Ngubane after a series of attacks in Ballito, Umhlanga and Durban North during 2023. Victims were lured to hotels, restrained, robbed of cash, phones and bank cards, and forced to disclose PINs before the perpetrators withdrew money.

In India's Tamil Nadu south zone, police arrested 83 suspects across 23 robbery cases linked to Grindr scams in ten districts, including Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Madurai. Offenders used fake or anonymous Grindr profiles to arrange meetings, then threatened victims with exposure of their sexual orientation or private chats to compel theft of cash, phones and banking credentials. Inspector General of Police Vijayendra Bidari highlighted a victim‑centric approach and the use of the Purple Tracking system to process the arrests.