Gay Brazilians targeted in deadly stickups, lured by dating apps
At least five gay men have killed since March 2024 after planning encounters through dating apps in Brazil, according to local news reports.
CAMBUQUIRA, Brazil — It was June 12, Lover’s Day in Brazil. Leo Nunes, 24, had spent a few days talking to someone he met on Hornet, a popular gay dating app, before arranging their first encounter in Sao Paulo’s middle-class Sacoma neighborhood.
A security camera captured the moment that two men on a motorcycle showed up in the alley where he was waiting, grabbed his phone and shot him dead.
The Nunes family, who shared details of the investigation with Reuters, said one suspect had been arrested. Sao Paulo police said they are investigating the shooting as a robbery resulting in a homicide, but did not provide further information or confirm if there had been an arrest.
Nunes was one of at least five gay men killed since March 2024 after planning encounters through dating apps in Brazil, according to news reports. Dozens more victims have described on social media suffering armed robberies after being lured by fake profiles on gay dating apps.
Police have also warned of “love cons” involving straight men lured into kidnappings, without providing figures.
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