Mumbai: Two men were allegedly threatened and robbed in separate but similar incidents after developing friendships through a dating application in Powai on New Year’s Eve. The Powai police have registered two separate cases and are investigating a possible pattern involving dating apps being used to target unsuspecting victims.

According to police, in one case, the accused posed as a student of IIT Bombay to gain the victim’s trust. The complainant, a 27-year-old man from Bhandup, had recently migrated from Telangana to Mumbai in search of employment. He had created a profile on Grindr, a dating application primarily used by members of the LGBTQ+ community.

As per the FIR, on December 31 at around 12.30 am, the complainant connected with the accused on the app. After exchanging messages and photographs, the accused claimed to be residing in an IIT Bombay hostel and invited the victim to meet near Amrut Bar on Saki Vihar Road, Powai.

The complainant reached the location around 1.10 am using a bike taxi. The accused allegedly informed him that entry through the main gate was restricted and led him through a dark and narrow lane near a pipeline. Shortly after, two other men, aged between 25 and 30, approached and accused the complainant of being a thief.

The men allegedly grabbed the complainant by the collar, searched his pockets, and forced him to open his Google Pay account. When they found that the balance was insufficient, the accused allegedly coerced him into contacting his friends for money. The complainant later realised that the person he met through the dating app was acting in collusion with the other two men.

A friend of the victim eventually transferred ₹20,000 to a QR code shared by the accused. The complainant was released at around 4.30 am. He later approached the Powai police, following which a case was registered.

Police said a similar complaint was filed by another man, indicating that the accused may be using dating apps to lure victims to secluded areas before robbing them. Efforts are underway to identify and arrest the accused, and police have urged citizens to exercise caution while meeting strangers through online platforms.