Couple Arrested in Gran Canaria Over Dating App Murder and Robbery Scheme

The arrest of a couple accused of murder in Gran Canaria has exposed a worrying trend: criminals are using dating apps to lure victims and commit violent robberies. According to the National Police, the pair used travel between the Canary Islands as a tactic to evade capture and stay ahead of investigators.

The case began after a violent attack in Playa del Inglés between March 14 and 15. The victim, an 82-year-old German man, suffered a severe brain injury after meeting someone he had connected with online. He later died from his injuries at the Insular Hospital. By reviewing security footage, police determined that the assault was carried out to steal the victim’s mobile devices.

Investigators found that the primary goal was not just the hardware, but gaining access to the victim’s banking and financial apps. This suggests a calculated strategy of targeting vulnerable individuals for financial gain. The 23-year-old man arrested is accused of carrying out the physical attacks, while his 43-year-old accomplice handled the logistics, coordinating their travel between Gran Canaria and Tenerife to keep their criminal operation moving.

The couple was eventually tracked down and arrested in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. With strong evidence now in the hands of the judiciary, authorities are investigating whether the pair may have targeted other victims across the country.

The incident has caused significant alarm in tourist areas like Maspalomas. Police are now urging the public to be cautious when using dating apps, warning that these platforms are increasingly being used to identify and target victims. Cooperation between police forces across the islands proved vital in stopping the pair and ending their attempts to operate with impunity.