Johannesburg Man Recounts Grindr Gang Attack in Kempton Park

A 22-year-old gay man from Johannesburg has recounted a harrowing experience of being targeted and robbed after being lured by criminals on the Grindr dating app.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared how the ordeal began on the evening of December 17th, with an interaction with a profile under the name “Ari” that escalated into a violent encounter.

“The red flags and sirens were blaring from the start,” he says in retrospect. “The profile had an age of 36 but the pictures he sent initially were obviously of someone much younger but people age weirdly. The pictures were also screenshotted but you ignore things sometimes.”

Even after insisting on a video call, he remained wary. “During the call, there were multiple people audible in the background, although he claimed to be alone. His camera feed was black, [but he said] his camera didn’t work,” the man recalls.

After some negotiating, he accepted a Bolt ride paid by the other man to a meeting place in Kempton Park, sharing his location with a friend as a precaution.

The meeting point — a park across from a block of apartments — was ominous. After a brief encounter with a man who didn’t match the profile photos, the victim was led further into the park (ostensibly to another apartment complex), when four other men ambushed him.

“They manhandled me, started threatening me, and shouting for me to sit down,” he shares. “They took everything off me, including my glasses and my shoes. While hitting me, they made me sit behind a large tree near a wall at the back of the park.”

Over the next hour, the attackers forced him to unlock his phone and bank accounts while verbally and physically abusing him.

“So long as I cooperated they mostly left me alone as they did whatever with my phone,” he says. “Although one was quite unhinged and kept hitting me and constantly threatening me with death.”

The criminals tried to justify their actions to the victim by condemning his sexuality. “They tried to half-heartedly moralise to me about being gay and hooking up with men and not going to church but it felt more like an empty narrative,” he explains.

The ordeal ended with the attackers leaving him in the park and taking his glasses with them. Despite being shaken, the man managed to find help at a nearby garage where he was able to use someone’s phone to ask a friend to get him an Uber home.

The man believes the criminals’ base of operations is located close to the Kempton Park Police Station but was told by residents of the area that nothing has ever been done about the attacks. “The people with whom I spoke said they were unsurprised and all claimed to know about the horrible situation in the area.”

He later reported the incident at the Sandton Police Station with mixed experiences. “The detective was incredibly respectful and took it very seriously. He was disgusted by the lack of action in Kempton Park. But I haven’t heard anything since, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much,” he says.

While self-blame is never warranted, the man admits he feels frustrated for not following his instincts. “I couldn’t really pity myself because I overlooked all the signs I specifically looked for,” he remarks, adding that he will be more cautious when using Grindr in future.

This troubling incident is a stark reminder that Grindr Gang criminals continue to actively target members of the LGBTQ+ community in South Africa, with little indication that the authorities are tackling the problem. It is also a call for queer individuals to remain extremely vigilant when using dating and networking platforms.

To protect yourself:

• Trust your instincts: If something feels off, it probably is.
• Verify identities: Insist on clear video calls and detailed conversations before meeting.
• Share your plans: Always inform someone you trust about your location and arrangements.
• Avoid secluded locations: Opt for public meeting spots and avoid areas with little visibility.
• Be aware: Criminals don’t only operate on Grindr, but sometimes use other dating apps and platforms

For more on Queer Online Dating Risks and Safety Tips, click here.