Police warning as scammers target dating apps

More than 470 dating and romance scams have been reported in Queensland this year.

Queensland Police are working with a popular dating app to reinforce safety messaging after a spate of fake profiles and robberies on multiple online platforms.

Since June, there have been 12 reports made to police in Brisbane through multiple LGBTQIA+ dating apps.

A 14-year-old boy from Doolandella has been charged with three counts of robbery and two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm after he allegedly used a fake profile to target victims intending to rob them for financial gain.

He is expected to appear in the Richlands Children’s Court on October 24.

Queensland had the second highest amount of dating and romance scams across Australia, with dating apps among the top contact methods.

In a separate incident, a 30-year-old man from MacGregor allegedly arranged to meet another man at a Bowen Hills address in June, where he allegedly robbed the man for financial gain.

The accused was charged with one count each of armed robbery, deprivation of liberty and

fraud - dishonestly obtains property from another - and is expected to reappear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 30 after he was remanded in custody.

It comes as data from Scamwatch showed Queensland had the second highest amount of dating and romance scams across Australia, following NSW.

So far this year there have been 471 reported dating and romance scams to Scam Watch in Queensland, with more than $2m worth of losses.

The top contact methods were through email, mobile apps and social media.

Grindr has partnered with Queensland Police to put out safety messages. Picture: Supplied

An alert sent out to people on the dating app Grindr warned people to “stay vigilant” and “take steps” to ensure safety.

“The Queensland Police Service is aware of recent reports of alleged criminal incidents in Brisbane related to meet-ups arranged through dating apps like Grindr,” the alert said.

Brisbane Regional Coordinator of the LGBTQIA+ Liaison Officer Program, Senior Constable Ben Bjarnesen, said it was important to be proactive in increasing the safety of LGBTQIA+ dating apps for users.

“We want people to know that we are here, we want them to be safe and if something unwanted happens, they are not alone. Support and reporting options are available,” Senior Constable Bjarnesen said.

“We are also sending a clear message that violations of people’s safety or criminal behaviour on these apps will not be tolerated.”

Senior Constable Ben Bjarnesen.

In August a 14-year-old boy from Acacia Ridge was charged in relation to six incidents.

The boy allegedly arranged to meet with victims on six different occasions with a fake dating profile and demanded money be transferred.

Police have charged the teenage boy with eight counts of fraud, four counts each of attempted robbery and obtaining or dealing with identification information, and one count each of robbery, wilful damage, and contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically.

He is expected to appear before Richlands Childrens Court on September 19.

Investigations are ongoing into three incidents. Police believe the majority of them are motivated by financial gain.

In 2021 Queensland Police partnered with tinder after a rise in sexual assaults in a world-first safety campaign.