Police in Saanich, B.C., say they have arrested two suspects are are looking for other possible victims of alleged extortion over a popular dating app.
Investigators say the two, one of whom is a minor, were arrested Friday evening and that they are recommending charges of extortion and possession of stolen property.
Police say the suspects found their victim in July using Grindr, which bills itself as the worlds largest dating app for the LGBTQ community.
While conversing with their target, the suspects gathered personal information about them and provided false information about themselves, then arranged to meet in person, according to police.
“When they met, they used the information they gathered to threaten and then extort their victim of more than $2,500,” police said in a media release Friday.
According to police, the suspects used the online profile names “Jay” and “Oliver.”
Police describe both suspects as between the ages of 18 and 20, with slim builds. One is about six-feet-tall, while the other is about five-foot-nine.
Investigators believe there may be other victims who have yet to come forward, and are urging anyone who thinks they were targeted to contact police.
Anyone with information or who recognizes the suspects is asked to contact Saanich police Const. Dane Nicholson at dnicholson@saanichpolice.ca or by phone at 250-475-4321.