College Students Resort to Crime for Quick Money, Use Gay Dating App to Rob Victims

A college student who used a gay dating app to find victims and rob them at knifepoint was arrested along with his friend on Wednesday by the Government Railway Police (GRP). The two said they were trying to get quick money to follow their career goals, as per the report by Times Of India.

So far, only one victim—a 21-year-old jewellery maker—has reported the crime. The police have asked others who may have gone through the same thing to come forward and file complaints.

The victim, who lives in Mumbai's western suburbs, had made a profile on the dating app and matched with one of the accused, 19-year-old Anubhav Ojha. Ojha had joined the app to look for people to target. They agreed to meet on May 16 at a quiet spot near the railway tracks between Borivli and Kandivli stations.

When the victim reached the location around 9:30 pm, Ojha was already there with his friend Ravi Jha, also 19. One of them pulled out a knife and threatened to kill the victim if he made any noise.

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According to the police, the two accused took everything from the complainant’s pockets and found an iPhone. They also stole a 3-gram gold ring and a gold earring he was wearing. Additionally, they forced him to transfer INR 2,800 by scanning a QR code. After roughing him up, they fled the scene.

The complainant went to the Borivali Government Railway Police (GRP) the next day, on May 17, and an FIR was registered. However, the FIR does not mention that the meeting was arranged through a gay dating app.

Following a technical investigation, the GRP’s Special Task Force (STF), led by senior inspector Vijay Khedkar and including inspector Rohit Sawant and assistant inspector Abhijeet Tailor, identified and arrested the suspects—Anubhav Ojha and Ravi Jha.

Police said Ojha was trying to raise money to enter a bodybuilding competition and needed funds for protein supplements and steroids. Jha had already registered a company and was looking for money to launch his business. The accused were handed over to the Borivali GRP and later presented before a magistrate.