Man Lures Tourist (84) Through Dating App and Kills Him in Maspalomas — Suspect Arrested in Tenerife

A Meeting That Was Never What It Seemed

The 84-year-old was holidaying in the south of Gran Canaria when he downloaded a dating app and began chatting with a man. They agreed to meet at the tourist's apartment in Maspalomas. But the person behind the screen had no interest in a genuine encounter — robbery was the sole objective.

A Robbery That Turned Deadly

During the evening, the suspect attempted to steal the tourist's valuables. The elderly man caught him red-handed and confronted him. When the victim tried to prevent the intruder from leaving with his belongings, a physical struggle broke out. The suspect pushed the 84-year-old, who lost his balance, fell to the ground and suffered a fatal head injury. He died as a result of the impact.

Fleeing to Tenerife — But Police Were Close Behind

After the killing, the suspect fled Gran Canaria and went into hiding on Tenerife. He believed he was safe. However, the Grupo de Homicidios of the Policía Nacional had already picked up his trail after the tourist's body was discovered in the apartment.

Investigators traced the message history between victim and suspect, revealing a clear pattern: the man had been using dating platforms systematically as a tool for targeting and robbing victims.

Serial Offender: Dating Apps as a Business Model

The police investigation revealed that the arrested man had apparently been running this scheme for some time. He specifically targeted men through dating platforms, arranged meetings and then robbed them. He preferred tourists as victims — apparently in the knowledge that many holidaymakers would leave the islands without filing a police report. According to investigators, he stole valuables worth €20,000 from another victim.

Even after the fatal incident in Maspalomas, the suspect had reinstalled dating apps on Tenerife and was in the process of contacting his next target. Police were able to arrest him before another meeting took place.

Safety Advice for Tourists in the Canary Islands

This case follows a pattern seen across Spain and other tourist destinations, where criminals exploit dating apps and social networks (Canarian Weekly) to lure victims into traps. Similar schemes — contact via an app, meeting at a private location, followed by robbery — have been reported repeatedly in recent years.

The Policía Nacional advises caution when meeting strangers from the internet. First encounters should take place in public locations. Valuables, cash and travel documents should not be left openly accessible in accommodation. In an emergency, tourists can contact the Servicios de Atención al Turista Extranjero (SATE) (Policía Nacional) — specialised police units that assist foreign visitors in multiple languages.

The suspect is currently in police custody. The investigation remains open as officers work to establish the full extent of his activities.