Cape Town police probe alleged drugging in dating-app encounters

Two men have been arrested in Cape Town as police investigate allegations that people were lured through online dating platforms, drugged and robbed during arranged meetings.

The suspects, both aged between 20 and 25, were detained in the city centre on Thursday.

Police believe the pair may be connected to several investigations involving a suspected online dating scam.

However, the extent of their alleged involvement remains under investigation.

How did Cape Town police trace the suspects?

The arrests followed a joint operation involving Cape Town Metro Police and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

According to a report by the Cape Argus, neighbourhood safety officers received information about an Audi A3 linked to a theft case registered at Cape Town Central police station.

Officers located the vehicle in the CBD and kept it under surveillance.

After two men entered the car and drove away, Metro Police stopped it. A search conducted with the driver’s consent uncovered bank and identity cards, mobile phones and three point-of-sale payment devices.

A subsequent search of the suspects’ residence yielded cash, jewellery, drugs and another payment device.

What are the dating-app allegations?

Investigators suspect that people were approached through online dating services before agreeing to meet in person.

According to Metro Police spokesperson Ruth Solomons, victims were allegedly drugged during these encounters and robbed of their belongings.

The pair face charges including conspiracy to commit fraud, offences under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, drug possession and possession of false number plates.

Investigators are also examining possible links to other unresolved cases in the Western Cape.

Police have not publicly identified a specific dating platform or confirmed how many people may have been affected.

How can South Africans stay safe when dating online?

The case highlights the risks that can arise when online conversations move into face-to-face meetings.

In September, SAPS issued a separate warning about crimes linked to online dating following reports of robbery and sexual assault in Kempton Park.

Police advised people meeting online contacts for the first time to choose public places, avoid sharing unnecessary personal information and tell someone they trust about their plans.

The Kempton Park incidents have not been linked to the Cape Town investigation.

Meanwhile, the two suspects remain under investigation, and the allegations against them have not been proven in court.

What more can dating platforms and law-enforcement agencies do to protect people meeting strangers online?