Three suspects arrested for extorting RM5,000 through dating app trap
Barelang Police have arrested three men accused of blackmailing a Malaysian tourist in Batam using a same-sex dating application as part of an organised extortion scheme.
Victim Targeted During Vacation
Kasatreskrim Polresta Barelang, Kompol Debby Tri Andrestian, said the victim, identified as MABAG (42), is a Malaysian citizen working as a driver who was vacationing in Batam.
While in the city, the victim used the Grindr application to look for a date and began communicating with one of the suspects, HG (29).
HG allegedly invited the victim to meet and took him to an empty house in Batam.
Fake “Security Guards” Stage Raid
At the location, two other suspects, WS and YW, allegedly pretended to be neighbourhood residents responsible for maintaining security.
They staged a raid at the empty house and accused the victim of committing a “disgraceful act.”
Police said the suspects threatened the victim with a wooden stick and warned that he would be paraded around the neighbourhood if he did not comply.
Victim Conditions
“The perpetrator asked the victim for money so that the incident would not be reported. The victim was afraid and handed over the requested amount,” Debby said, as quoted by ANTARA on Feb 19.
The victim reportedly transferred 5,000 Malaysian ringgit, equivalent to about Rp20 million.
Organised Roles Within The Network
Police investigations revealed that each suspect had a specific role.
– YW allegedly acted as the mastermind and owner of the dating app account used to lure victims.
– HG functioned as the “feeder,” bringing the victim to the location.
– WS allegedly carried out the extortion and managed the barcode used for the fund transfer, which was linked to an online gambling account.
The extorted money was divided among the suspects, with WS and YW each receiving Rp6.7 million and HG receiving Rp7 million.
Arrests In Separate Locations
The three suspects were arrested on Feb 18 in different areas of Batam — Bengkong, Batu Ampar and Lubuk Baja.
Police said the suspects are repeat offenders in similar violent theft cases.
They have been charged under Article 487 paragraph (2) and/or Article 479 paragraph (2) letters A and D of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, carrying a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.
The Batam blackmail case highlights the risks associated with online dating platforms, particularly when meetings are arranged in unfamiliar locations. Police have urged the public, including foreign visitors, to exercise caution and report suspicious activity immediately. Authorities say investigations remain ongoing to prevent similar schemes targeting other victims.
Sources: VOI (2026)
Keywords: Batam Extortion Case, Malaysian Tourist Blackmailed, Grindr Modus Operandi, Online Dating Trap, Barelang Police Arrest
