Gauteng Legislature issues warning amid spike in online dating crimes
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Community Safety Committee has warned the public about rising kidnappings, robberies, and assaults in Johannesburg’s Maboneng area linked to victims lured through dating apps.
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The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Community Safety Committee has issued a strong warning to the public about the dangers of meeting strangers through dating apps and social media, following an increase in kidnappings, robberies, and assaults in Johannesburg’s Maboneng area.
These crimes were uncovered during a recent unannounced visit to Jeppe Police Station, where officers detailed how victims from across the province are lured via hookup apps and attacked.
Particularly concerning is a gang that was arrested for targeting LGBTQIA+ individuals in the area.
The Committee noted the similarities to the murder of Olerato Mongale, where victims are misled by strangers before being harmed.
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Citizens are urged to take precautions when meeting people from online platforms, including avoiding isolated areas, informing someone of their whereabouts, and verifying identities beforehand.