Police failed to properly investigate a series of alleged blackmail cases targeting men through the dating app Grindr, the BBC has learned. At least five suspected victims in one region were targeted, and four of the incidents appear linked to the same gang, which has not yet been caught.
In one of the cases, a man died by suicide just 24 hours after a group of men arrived at his home demanding the keys to his new Range Rover.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has instructed Hertfordshire Police to investigate whether “homophobic assumptions” may have contributed to shortcomings in the original response. Though the force declined to discuss specific details, it said the case has been reopened and emphasized its commitment to building trust with LGBTQ+ communities.
The BBC also spoke with the family of another man who died after being blackmailed on Grindr, raising additional concerns from charities about gaps in police understanding of crimes targeting LGBTQ+ people.
‘It’s a total blur’
In March 2024, Cameron Tewson and his partner, Scott Gough, were at Gough’s home in Chandler’s Cross, Hertfordshire, when six men arrived and demanded the keys to Gough’s new vehicle. The men fled after Tewson alerted police and a neighbour, but left behind a handwritten note with the car’s number plate and a phone number.
Tewson believes Gough, 56, who worked at a car dealership, was trying to hide the fact that he had been using Grindr, a platform he had used previously. Within a day, Gough was found dead in his bedroom. Police records later revealed that the phone number left by the gang was already linked to an earlier Grindr-related blackmail allegation.
Despite identifying a vehicle linked to the suspects, police did not interview those connected to it. Officers did not take DNA from the note or collect potential evidence left at the scene. No arrests were made.
The IOPC later concluded that the circumstances around Gough’s death and the related blackmail attempt were not “robustly investigated,” and that complaints about police conduct were mishandled.
A pattern of cases
The watchdog’s review revealed additional blackmail reports involving the same phone number within 10 days of Gough’s death. In those cases, men who had arranged dates through Grindr were confronted by a group demanding money. The group claimed to be “paedophile hunters,” but provided police with no information to support that claim.
Despite the extortion allegations, officers treated the group as individuals needing safeguarding, not as potential offenders.
Hertfordshire Police said further investigative actions are underway following the IOPC’s direction. Supt Owen Pyle, the force’s LGBTQ+ strategic lead, said the constabulary aims to eliminate discrimination and ensure victims feel comfortable reporting crimes.
Another death linked to blackmail
Charities say the scale of dating-app-related crimes is largely unknown, partly due to inconsistent responses from police forces.
The family of 24-year-old fashion student Liam McHale, who lived 15 miles from Gough, also believes his case was not properly handled. Nine weeks after Gough’s death, McHale was found dead after telling friends he was being blackmailed by someone he met on Grindr who falsely claimed to be underage.
McHale contacted police on the night before his death, but officers told him to report the incident the following day because he had been drinking. A coroner later found he died from asphyxiation and drug intoxication but did not determine whether his death was intentional.
Emails obtained by the BBC show it took more than 18 months for Thames Valley Police to obtain authorization to access McHale’s phone and laptop. No arrests have been made. The IOPC found no grounds for further action over police conduct in this case.
Platform responses and investigative challenges
Legal experts say dating apps have struggled to address misuse of their platforms. While digital footprints exist, identifying offenders can be difficult.
Some argue apps should collect more identifying data, though privacy concerns remain significant for LGBTQ+ users. Grindr said it aims to balance user safety with privacy and cooperates closely with law enforcement.
The IOPC said it maintains close engagement with LGBTQ+ organizations and expressed sympathy to the families affected. It emphasized the need for victims to feel heard and for police investigations to be thorough and fair.