Greenbelt

Armed Suspects Use App to Con Men Trying to Meet Women, Maryland Police Say

The men think they are meeting a woman they chatted with on an app, but wind up getting assaulted and robbed

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Many people have found love through dating apps, but police in Greenbelt, Maryland, are warning residents to rethink using apps to meet strangers after several recent armed robberies.

The Greenbelt Police Department issued a "citizen advisory" Sunday urging people not to meet up with strangers through dating apps.

Police say at least five men looking for love were using MeetMe, an app that allows people to meet and chat with others in their area for free.

In all five cases, the victims thought they were talking with a woman and agreed to meet at the Franklin Park apartment complex in the area of Springhill Court. But when they showed up, they were greeted by armed suspects wearing masks, police said.

The suspects punched and kicked some of the victims and stole their wallets, car keys and cell phones, police said.

Police say they are unsure if the suspects set up a fake profile or if there is a woman involved in the setup.

They believe there could be more victims who haven't come forward.

Anyone with information related to these incidents can call police at 301-474-7200.

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