A man known as the Irish ‘Tinder Swindler’ has been arrested in relation to deception and scamming dates out of hundreds of euros each.
The man, who is in his 30s, was arrested yesterday and quizzed by Gardai investigating the ‘Romance Fraud’ scam. He has since been released from detention.
The Irish Mirror reveals the man allegedly met victims on dating apps, claimed that he is rich, and when on dates claimed his bank card had been cancelled or stolen and let the victim pick up the tab.
It is also understood he is alleged to have told his victims he was a neurosurgeon, trained in combat medicine and a banker, as well as being a member of the British Royal family.
The man is believed to have allegedly scammed low amounts of money to make his scam of losing his bank card more believable when on dates – between €250-500 from each of his victims.
He is then alleged to have told his victims he would pay them back for the meal and drinks and is alleged to have shown them a fake transfer of the cash to their bank accounts later.
Several victims have come forward to Gardaí but investigators believe there are many more victims who have not come forward and they are encouraging them to do so.
A Garda spokesperson said: “As part of an ongoing investigation into a number of romance fraud complaints in Ireland, Gardaí have arrested a man in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR). It is alleged that victims have been targeted through a variety of popular dating apps.
“In a planned operation this morning involving Gardaí from the DMR North Central, DMR South Central and Galway divisions, investigating Gardaí executed a search warrant at a residence in Dublin today, Friday 10th January 2025. During the course of the search a number of electronic items were seized.
“A male in his 30s was arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. The male has since been released from detention and investigations are ongoing.
“An Garda Síochána is appealing to anyone who believes they may have been a victim of or affected by fraud via dating apps to please contact any Garda station and report the crime. Be assured that An Garda Síochána will treat all reports sensitively and in confidence.”