Dating app used to lure two robbery victims: police

VANCOUVER — Richmond police are investigating two incidents of lonely men being targeted through a Chinese dating app.

In each case, the victim made plans through Tantan — China’s version of Tinder — to meet a woman whose named was given as Stephanie before they were ambushed and robbed.

On Saturday, just after 7 a.m., a 32-year-old man was waiting at a southwest Richmond residence to meet with his supposed date when two suspects approached the man and assaulted him. The victim was able to escape.

On Sunday about 3 a.m., a 23-year-old Vancouver man planned to meet a Tantan user, also using the moniker Stephanie, at a home in central Richmond. When he arrived, the man was approached by three suspects, one of whom had a knife.

The suspects abducted the man and, driving his vehicle, took him to a bank and forced him to withdraw money from an ATM. The trio then took the man’s personal items and clothing before releasing him.