If it wasn’t bad enough that the infamous Tinder Swindler himself, Simon Leviv Shimon Hayut, said he was looking into moving to Toronto, now there’s allegedly a guy dubbed the “Grindr Swindler” downright stealing thousands from vulnerable guys on Grindr and more. In fact, Toronto Police confirmed they recently busted him and think there may be even more victims out there.
Sadly, if there’s anything that has really taken off during the pandemic…its cyber-related scamming. From the more lavish/noteworthy ones like the Tinder Swindler and the “German heiress” Anna Delvey Vadimovna Sorokina, to the ridiculously annoying Instagram hackers. Those who get to your account through phishing messages and fake emails, or through other hacked accounts that pretend to “need your help” or downright just spam you with “your account is eligible to get verified” form links, and then send you requests for cryptocurrency ransom after the fact. We personally come across them countless times per week over our DM requests on Instagram.
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In this case, 20-year-old Jackson Luu of Toronto, wasn’t taking people on lavish trips, or running from “enemies,” instead Toronto Police confirmed that Luu was arrested as part of a “theft investigation.” Involving people he had met through online dating platforms and social media groups, which Global News reports that the Grindr app was one of them. “A man targeted victims using online social media chat groups and online dating platforms in the Toronto area,” states a news release from the Toronto Police.
“The man met his victims in person, and would eventually attend the victim’s residence.”
Toronto POLICE
Luu’s alleged scheme was a lot simpler–he simply asked to use their phone! Allegedly, to make a phone call, but then would use the opportunity to send electronic money transfers from the victims’ phones to himself,” states the police release. “The man also used the victims’ credit cards to make point of sale purchases.”
While he didn’t so much swindle lonely hearts into sending him cash, he flat out allegedly stole from them. Not so much the Grindr Swindler, but more so a thief.
Jackson Luu, 20, was arrested and charged with one count of attempted theft under $5,000, eight counts of theft under $5,000, ten counts of possession of property obtained by crime and eight counts of credit card fraud, a combined total of about $30,000–and the Toronto Police are led to believe there are more victims!
“Some of the victims targeted had learning disabilities and physical disabilities.
Det. Jason Contant, Toronto Police Service
Disturbingly, as reported by CP24, Det. Jason Contant told reporters that, “Some of the victims targeted had learning disabilities and physical disabilities. In all cases, the victims were simply looking for some companionship and instead they were deceived for financial gain. Not only does this have a financial impact on the victims, but it also has a huge emotional impact.”
Sadly, it doesn’t end there…allegedly, another Toronto man, 23-year-old Yuansen Fu, gathered millions of dollars in a string of Mortgage Fraud scams, of over $10-million.
If you happen to have any details about any of these cases mentioned here, you’re urged to contact Police via Crime Stoppers toll-free, 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or their website or text, TIP312, and your message to CRIMES from a mobile phone.