ESET Ireland

ESET Ireland warns of a new online scam, combining the Grindr dating app and a fraudulent website, that extracts money from victims.

The scam begins when a Grindr (advertised as “the world’s largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people”) user receives a message from an attractive looking new contact, looking to hook up.

But the contact immediately asks the victim whether they gave something called “LGID”. If they inquire what that is, the scammer explains they were assaulted and punched previously, even attaching a picture of their damaged face, and require proof the victim isn’t an offender, by acquiring a specific ID from a link the scammer provides.

If the victim follows the link, they’re taken to a convincing looking website that claims it is a “lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer anti-offender screening system” and asked to sign up.

The sign-up involves “a €2 payment for processing the ID” and handing over the victim’s personal and payment details, but also claims “50% of all payments will be donated to LGBT harassment victims” as added incentive.

Once the victim submits their info, €50 is immediately charged to their credit card, with possible additional abuses of the card and the person’s private details for blackmail at a later date.

ESET Ireland advises extra caution when contacts on social media suggest following links that require filling out personal and payment details.

by Ciaran McHale and Urban Schrott, ESET Ireland