MILWAUKEE — Swipe with caution. That’s the warning from Milwaukee law enforcement when it comes to online dating.
According to Milwaukee police, they’ve seen a recent surge of robberies associated with dating apps and other similar platforms, particularly among the LGBTQ+ community.
These robberies generally involve the suspect setting a meet-up with the victim, and then robbing them or having other suspects there to commit the robbery, said MPD.
Several members of the Milwaukee Common Council issued a joint statement about the uptick in crime involving dating apps.
“Despite the convenience online dating brings, there are always some risks involved, especially when meeting someone for the first time that you met online.”
Some safety tips:
- Always tell someone where you’re going and who you’re meeting
- Meet in a public place
- Don’t give out private information
- Stay sober
Along with a rise in robberies, people should also be aware of potential scams associated with online dating. Be aware of these red flags to help avoid identity theft, monetary scams and catfishing:
- If your prospective date has only one or two pictures, it may indicate that they’re a bot or otherwise fake profile.
- If your match refuses to talk with you on the phone before meeting, this could indicate that they’re trying to catfish you.
- Be cautious if the person you’ve matched with constantly dodges your questions, or they only provide vague answers.
- Profiles of people who aren’t local, especially if they only want to meet at a hotel or other private area, should be approached with caution.
More than 40 million people in the country using dating apps.
