According to the São Paulo Civil Police, criminals are taking advantage of the emergence of the PIX bank transfer method to perform lightning abductions more often. The data shows that the number of crimes in 2021 increased by 40% compared to 2019 (before the pandemic). We 42 cases registeredonly in São Paulo in 2021 against 30 cases in 2019.

Extortion by kidnapping – a term used when a victim spends at least one day in captivity – also increased significantly in 2021. According to the Anti-Kidnapping Authority, 13 cases were reported in 2021, while only 5 cases were reported in 2019. For the first quarter of 2022, 3 cases of extortion through kidnapping have already been recorded.

Data collected by Folha de São Paulo shows that in February, the 52-year-old customer service manager spent two hours in captivity in northern São Paulo after dating on dating apps. The man reports that he was approached by two criminals when he drove up to the entrance to the building where the meeting was scheduled. The criminals carried out withdrawals and transfers through Pix in the amount of 3,500 reais, and also took away the victim’s car, mobile phone and documents. The man also said that the thieves delivered a 10 reais bill to return home by public transport.

Tinder scammer jailed in Spain
The 31-year-old man is already on trial for crimes involving theft, forgery and fraud.

Dating apps claim to be cooperating with police

Some of the most popular dating apps, such as Inner Circle and Tinder, have told Folha de São Paulo that they cooperate with police in an investigation when asked.

The Inner Circle said they would “actively cooperate” with the court whenever a data-sharing request is made. The company said in a statement: “Our support team will take the necessary steps to keep our community safe.” In addition, the Inner Circle recommends being suspicious of very personal matters at the start of a conversation, they also advise that if another profile refuses to communicate via video calls, it’s important to remain suspicious.

Tinder also claims to be cooperating with police investigations, saying that if a request is made, the platform will share the details of the profile under investigation.

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Source: Folha de São Paulo.