9 out of 10 kidnappings in SP originate from Tinder

Dating apps are very popular in Brazil and worldwide, but users must also be aware of the security problems that these platforms can bring - as exemplified by a BBC article, which revealed that 9 out of 10 kidnappings in São Paulo Paulo capital are made through the famous Tinder scam.

The Danger of Kidnapping on Tinder

According to information from Secretary of Public Security of São Paulo (SSP), provided to BBC News Brasil, 90% of kidnappings carried out in São Paulo are carried out by fake profiles created on dating apps, such as Tinder.

“More than 90% of the kidnappings registered in São Paulo are made from relationships formed from fake profiles created in applications, such as Tinder”

SSP, in a comment posted to the BBC News website.

The SSP explains that, initially, the contact between the victim and the criminal is expected within the apps, with the kidnapper posing as a woman who would be of interest to the Tinder user – an action carried out based on a lot of study of the social networks of the potential victim, observing whether she displays economic power on social media

As the conversation progresses, the meeting is scheduled – and what was supposed to be a happy moment becomes a nightmare, as the victim is welcomed by a pair of armed criminals who carry out the kidnapping, and may be held for days while a ransom is demanded. . In prison, the person who just wanted a date can suffer both physical and psychological torture, making the whole event potentially traumatic.

In total, in 2022 alone, the SSP reported that the Anti-kidnapping Division of Dope, a division specialized in kidnapping by the Civil Police of São Paulo, detected 4 occurrences with this type of modus operandi, with 251 suspects arrested and 9 juvenile offenders apprehended. In one of the registered cases, the rescue reached a total value of R$ 75 thousand.

The general demographic of the scam is being men over 40 years old, with education and high purchasing power - but the SSP also claims that women suffer from the scam, with the situation using the same tactics to kidnap them. 

In addition, many times in the scam, the criminal deceives the victim by making him find himself in a more remote place — hence the importance of always trying to find people on the internet in busy places throughout the day, since with more people it is possible that the bandits do not feel comfortable trying to carry out the kidnapping.

Protecting yourself from the Tinder scam

Even though the Police are already aware of the problem, the fact is that it continues to occur, and for you not to end up becoming another victim, it is important to follow some recommendations:

• Be suspicious of people who want to get off Tinder or dating apps too fast for WhatsApp;
• If the profile is deleted shortly after the conversation arrives on WhatsApp, suspect a possible concealment of information;
• Avoid using photos that show purchasing power, such as international travel or luxury items – and leave profiles on social networks locked;
• Make appointments in busy places whenever possible.

Still according to the SSP for BBC News, it is possible that the coup is carried out after the first date, so always be careful – after all, even if that person may seem like the love of your life, until you really meet him who guarantees that he is not a scammer, right?

Finally, even if you think that there are few notifications of these scams, the SSP stressed that it is possible that underreporting of these crimes occurs, often due to the shame of the victims for having fallen for the scam. Get smart, huh?

See also other features:

Tinder billionaire: know the Brazilian case of app scam

Source: BBC News, April