Jail for burglars who used Grindr dating app to dupe victims

Core Points - Two burglars used the Grindr dating app to deceive victims into allowing them into their homes, leading to theft of devices and funds [1][9] - Rahmat Khan Mohammadi targeted 11 victims over a five-month period, while Mohammed Bilal Hotak committed multiple offenses within a shorter timeframe [2] - Both men received significant prison sentences, with Mohammadi sentenced to five years and Hotak to three and a half years [2] Legal Proceedings - Judge Adenike Balogun highlighted the psychological trauma and distress caused to the victims, emphasizing the violation of their private spaces [3] - The prosecution suggested that the crimes could be viewed as hate crimes due to the targeting of victims based on their sexuality [3][4] - The judge noted that the victims were targeted for their perceived vulnerability rather than out of hostility towards their sexuality [4] Modus Operandi - The burglars exploited Grindr to gain easy access to victims' homes, often using deceptive profiles and distraction tactics to facilitate the theft [5][7] - They would ask victims to play music on YouTube, which prevented the phone from being locked, allowing them to steal devices [7] - The defense argued that Grindr's anonymity provided a unique opportunity for the men to commit their crimes without fear of repercussions [9] Victim Impact - Victims reported severe psychological trauma, with one individual expressing distress over losing irreplaceable family photos stored on his phone [9][10] - Another victim described the experience as invasive and degrading, leading to lasting fear of online dating [10] - The Metropolitan Police's hate crime lead characterized the crimes as "callous, calculated, pre-planned," emphasizing the devastating impact on victims [13]