Digital loverboy arrests revealed; police warn Tinder women

The police in The Hague arrested two "digital loverboys" on Tuesday, January 27th, on suspicion of blackmailing and threatening young women. The suspects came into contact with their victims using free dating apps and sites, such as Tinder. In November last year a 23 year old woman reported to the police that she was forced to pay a substantial amount of money to a man she had been dating after meeting him on a dating app. Two weeks later the police received a similar report from another woman. Based on those two reports the police launched an investigation in early December. During the investigation the police found out that the suspects used fake Facebook profiles to register on dating apps that show potential matches based on criteria such as age and geographical location. After meeting a woman and dating her for a while, the suspects would extort, threaten, blackmail or scam her. The police arrested the two men (25 and 30 years old) in the house they were staying in Leidscendam on January 27th. The house was searched. Later that day the police also arrested a 23 year old woman who owned the house. She was released after questioning. The suspects appeared before a magistrate on January 30th, who determined that they will stay in custody until they appear in the Council Chamber today.

Thus far 8 women between the ages of 20 and 33 years have laid charges against these men. The police suspect that there are even more victims who are two ashamed or afraid to turn to the police. The police warn women to be extra alert when they meet new people via the digital dating world. Although the vast majority of people who date over the internet have good intentions, it is important to be aware of men with other motives, the police says.