US: Man held at gunpoint, robbed and raped during Grindr hookup
A 34-year-old Canadian was robbed, held at gunpoint and raped by a man he had arranged to meet on Grindr.
According to NBC 10, the victim, who was visiting Philadelphia, says he met the man on gay dating app Grindr, before inviting him to his hotel room.
He said: “The whole thing was just a giant blur. I was scared and I kept thinking if I just do what he says, then he’ll just go away.”
The victim, who has anonymity, says when the man arrived he was held at gunpoint and sexually assaulted, before being marched to shops and cashpoints.
The attacker forced the victim to buy $2000 (£1195) of Visa gift cards, and to withdraw $1000 (£600) from cash machines..
After walking for 15 blocks, the victim managed to slip away inside a bar and contact the police.
He said: “I was afraid to say anything. I was afraid of what was going to happen”
“I will no longer be doing any type of app like that again. I’m just not.”
Philadelphia Police are looking for the 20-year-old attacker, who is described as 5′ 11″, with wavy hair and star tattoos on the back of his right hand.
Anyone with information about the attack should contact the Philadelphia Police tips line, on 215 686 TIPS.
In December, a Michigan man was murdered after meeting his attackers on Grindr.
