Grindr: Lured to a "date" in Norway and robbed at gunpoint

Three men were lured through fake Grindr profiles, threatened with a gun and robbed in Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg. A Norwegian district court has convicted those behind it.

This concerns misuse by other users, not the service's own security, and does not count in the score.

What happened

In autumn 2024 three men in Østfold believed they were going on dates with someone they had met on Grindr. According to NRK, the fake profiles used photos of one of the teenage defendants, who was to claim to be 18 online and then say he was 15 when the victim arrived – an accusation meant to be used for extortion. The victims were threatened with weapons, beaten and forced to transfer money, and some incidents were filmed with threats to spread the videos on TikTok. According to the prosecution, more than NOK 260,000 was taken over two days. In February 2026 Søndre Østfold District Court sentenced the ringleader, a man in his late twenties, to 3 years and 4 months in prison, and another adult to prison and community service. The court found the two teenagers had been manipulated into acting as bait. The victims were awarded compensation.

What is documented

• NRK (17 Feb 2026): Søndre Østfold District Court convicted four people for three aggravated robberies.
• The ringleader received 3 years and 4 months; the two adults must pay NOK 191,000 in compensation to the victims.
• According to the prosecution, more than NOK 260,000 was taken over two days.

What has not been established

• The judgment was not final when NRK reported it: the ringleader was considering an appeal.

What this means for you

1. Meet new contacts in a public place the first time, not at an address you don't know.
2. Ask for a short video call before meeting, and tell a friend where you are going.
3. If you are threatened or pressured, don't pay – contact the police. You are the victim, whatever the offenders claim.