Police are appealing for more victims to come forward after a series of burglaries, thefts and fraud offences allegedly linked to the dating app Grindr – with two men from Harrow arrested as part of the investigation.
The Met Police said around 50 offences have taken place between October 2024 and March 2025 across London. Victims were allegedly targeted through the Grindr app, with some crimes happening inside their homes.
Officers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation and believe there may be more unreported cases.
Superintendent Owen Renowden, the Met’s hate crime lead, said: “This is a series of pre-planned offences where unsuspecting victims have been targeted, often in their own homes, resulting in high-value items being taken.
“In the majority of cases, the suspects would arrange to meet the victims at their homes via the Grindr app, and once inside, would steal high value items including mobile phones.
“In other reports we have received, they build a rapport with the victim while paying close attention to the pin number they enter into their phones before using distraction techniques to steal them, going on to make various digital payments and transactions.
“Due to the volume of these offences and the serious impact on the safety of both individuals and communities, we are treating them as potential hate crimes.”
Three arrests have been made so far, including two men from Harrow.
A 22-year-old man from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, was arrested on 3 April on suspicion of burglary and fraud. He has been charged and remanded in custody.
Two other men, aged 27 and 28 and both from Harrow, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and are currently on bail while enquiries continue.
Superintendent Renowden added: “Our investigation is progressing at pace, but we believe there are a number of offences that have not yet been reported to us, so I urge anyone who may have been targeted, or may have crucial information that will help us with our enquiries, to contact us as soon as possible.
“I understand some people may be apprehensive about getting in touch with us, but I’d like to provide reassurance that all reports will be thoroughly investigated.
“We are working closely with our LGBT+ Independent Advisory Group and the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, GALOP, to ensure we conduct our investigation with sensitivity and care.
“The Met Police is fully committed to ensuring all our communities in London feel safe, as well as continuing to enhance the trust and confidence LGBT+ people place in us. Organised crime has a devastating impact on society and your help will be key in helping us bring those responsible to justice.”
Anyone with information or who believes they may be a victim is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference CAD 5090/15APR.
You can also remain anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visiting Crimestoppers-uk.org, or contact GALOP via their national helpline on 0800 999 5428.
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