Rising Threat: Dating App Scams Lead To Robberies And Fraud In Pune; Atleast Four To Five Cases Of Robbery Registered Through Dating Apps
Pune, 18th February 2025: A surge in crimes linked to dating apps has left Pune residents vulnerable, with at least five to six cases of robbery reported in the last month. Young professionals, including computer engineers, have fallen prey to criminals who lure victims into secluded areas before robbing them. In one case, police managed to apprehend the culprits, but the growing trend highlights the risks of forming connections with strangers online.
Dating apps, originally intended to help people find companionship, have increasingly become a tool for criminals. Organized gangs operating in major cities like Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore exploit these platforms to trap unsuspecting victims, leading to incidents of robbery, extortion, and even human trafficking. The anonymity offered by these apps allows fraudsters to use fake identities and manipulate individuals into dangerous situations.
The threat extends beyond robbery. Cybercriminals have devised elaborate extortion schemes, coercing victims into paying large sums under the threat of having their private photos or videos leaked. In one tragic case two years ago, a young man from the Sahakarnagar area took his own life after being blackmailed through a dating app. Similarly, a senior citizen from Model Colony lost several lakhs in a dating app scam.
Recent incidents in Pune show a disturbing pattern. A businessman from Sinhagad Road was called to a deserted area in Dhayari and robbed, while a computer engineer from Magarpatta in Hadapsar suffered the same fate. Pune Rural Police recently arrested a gang involved in a similar robbery in the Shikrapur area. Investigations revealed that criminals used fake names and photographs to deceive victims.
The dangers of these scams are not new. Three years ago, a young researcher from a prestigious city institute was murdered after being lured via a dating app and taken to an isolated location near Pashan-Sus Road.
Women have also been targeted in elaborate cyber frauds. Scammers posing as high-ranking foreign executives have deceived women into believing they were receiving expensive gifts from abroad. Victims were then asked to pay hefty sums to “clear customs” for these non-existent parcels, only for the fraudsters to disappear once the payments were made.
Despite law enforcement efforts, the detection and recovery rate for such crimes remains low. Authorities urge people to exercise caution while using dating apps and social media, as online friendships can sometimes lead to devastating financial and personal consequences.
