Grindr danger – Dating app attacks continue but users not scared away

THERE has been a troubling increase in crime on the popular gay dating app Grindr, with criminals posing as users to lure and rob members.

Despite this, users continue to navigate its digital landscape.

In May, former head of the police Special Victims Unit, Supt Claire Guy-Alleyne, issued a warning to the app’s users, urging members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBT+) community to exercise caution and conduct due diligence before meeting people.

To investigate this trend, Newsday created a Grindr account in late July, which took about five minutes to set up. Scanning the app revealed numerous faceless torsos and few face photos, reflecting the anonymity often sought by its users.

Over two weeks, Newsday interacted with 139 profiles, with 59 continuing the conversation after learning it was part of an investigation into why users continue to use the app despite the risks.

During these interactions, 37 users reported being victims of robbery. Many conversations started with a nude photo sent on a timer, followed by the question,

"You host or drive?" Some users agreed to speak with Newsday, provided their identities were protected.

Aaron's Story: 'You have to be smart'

Standing in a shaded area near the old Arima police station, the 27-year-old from Malabar began chatting with Newsday two days after the profile was created.

Aaron, an accountant who loves anime and has four dogs, explained his continued use of Grindr despite the rise in robberies.

"It is the easiest way to meet men who not on make-out scene thing. Everybody knows why they're there," he said.

Aaron isn’t worried about becoming a crime victim because he takes precautions, such as video chatting before meetings and choosing public places for initial encounters. However, he admitted to an attempted robbery in 2023. "I met a fella in Arima last year, and we went to Cleaver Heights. We went by an abandoned house, and when I walked in, there was a fella with a cutlass in the room."

He escaped through a window but didn’t report the incident to the police, fearing exposure and believing the police would not care.

After deleting his profile following the incident, Aaron created a new one within months and says he is more cautious.

"It's the only place to meet men: if not on the app, where? I’m not going to any club or bar. That, to me, is more dangerous."

Jason: 'Queer people deserve a space to belong'

Jason from Arouca believes Grindr’s popularity in TT stems from the societal stigma surrounding homosexuality.

"Queer people deserve a space to belong, interact, and connect. Grindr was created by queer people for that purpose. While it is true that caution is necessary when meeting others online, it is unfair to blame queer individuals who are victims of these crimes."

Jason criticised the lack of attention paid to criminals exploiting the app and argued that queer people are not taken seriously when they report crimes.

“People say we deserve to be raped, robbed, injured, or killed and that is wrong. It’s the same narrative as saying women ‘ask for it' when they wear skimpy clothing.”

Brandon: 'Just a place to chat'

Brandon, a fitness enthusiast and part-time gym instructor from St James, says he uses the app primarily for conversation.

"It might sound like a lie, but I’m really on the app just to chat. I don’t meet people."

Despite the rise in incidents on the app, he says he has made two friends in three months, both of whom he invited back to his apartment on their first meeting.

His advice to other users is to prioritise safety.

"Don’t put yourself in harm’s way for sex: it’s not worth it."

He also believes the police do not care about LGBT+ people and despite not being a victim of crime, if one were to occur, he would most likely not report it.

Harold: 'Just a place for a little vice'

Harold, a 40-year-old police officer, maintains a Grindr profile unbeknownst to his partner of 15 years. He insists he’s not gay but uses the app for "vice."

Despite the app’s dangers, Harold feels secure due to his law enforcement background.

"My protection is my gun," he said, adding that crime affects all sectors of TT and the challenges on Grindr are no different from those on Facebook Marketplace.

David: 'A fun place to connect'

David, a 23-year-old from Mayaro, enjoys using Grindr to connect with others. Though aware of the app’s dangers, he appreciates the social aspect.

"I have met so many people from all over Trinidad. I enjoy the chat and occasional liming: it’s nice meeting other people like me, especially since I live up here in the bush," he jokes.

A growing list of crimes

Grindr has been linked to numerous crimes in recent months.

On August 27, a Guyanese teacher hired a TT RideShare driver to carry him to Maraval to meet a man he met on Grindr. They were both robbed at gunpoint.

In July, a 19-year-old was sexually assaulted and robbed by someone he invited to his home.

In June, a Cocorite man was beaten, robbed and had his car stolen after meeting someone from Grindr. Another man was robbed of his car and cash after meeting a man at a guest house in Aranguez.

In May, a 26-year-old from Arima was beaten and robbed by five men during his lunch hour after visiting an apartment on Nelson Street, Port of Spain.

Newsday spoke with Dion Gill, a gender illusionist, activist and counsellor at TT Family Planning Association. He believes Grindr should implement integrated mental health services that allow users to access professional help.

Gill says the app is not solely about casual hookups and aims to foster genuine connections and community-building. He highlights the importance of creating spaces for meaningful interaction among LGBT+ individuals.

According to Gill, the responsiveness of local authorities to the safety concerns of LGBT+ users varies and he believes targeted operations, specialised training for law enforcement and collaborations with LGBT+ organisations can improve safety.

"There is often a lack of responsiveness and even hostility in some cases. This is due to a lack of legal protections, limited resources and implicit biases among law enforcement personnel."

He says the app's feature of anonymity can be a double-edged sword, as it protects users identities, it also has its dangers. saying it can create a false sense of security, leading users to share personal information with strangers and put themselves in danger.

To mitigate these risks, Gill advises users to avoid sharing their locations and personal information and to always tell someone when they are meeting someone from the app.

Gill also points to several community-based initiatives and peer support networks in TT, such as Caiso, Trans and Non-Binary TT (TNBTT), The KingK Initiative, and Dragbrunchtt. He says these organisations provide education, support, and safe spaces for LGBT+ individuals.

Gill, who is pursuing his masters in counselling, believes a multifaceted approach is crucial for improving safety and support for LGBT+ users on dating apps, stressing that collaborations with local authorities and stronger laws protecting LGBT+ individuals are vital.

Acting Supt Michelle Rowley-Powder, head of the police's Child Protection Unit (CPU) and Gender-Based Violence Unit (GBVU), said in a phone interview with Newsday, police have a duty to respond to all reports: "it is part of our mandate."

She explained that delays in handling cases are due to staffing shortages, not a lack of concern for the LGBT+ community.

"We take every single report seriously and treat each case with urgency."

She apologised for any previous delays and says new initiatives have been put in place to mitigate responsiveness.

Rowley-Powder encouraged members of the LGBT+ community to come forward if they have been victims of crime, saying all reports are handled with seriousness.