FIFE GRINDR SEXTORTIONIST THREATENED TO POST VICTIM’S NUDE PHOTOS ‘ALL OVER BURNTISLAND’
A Fife fraudster used Grindr to scam a victim out of more than £8,000 and extort other men by threatening to post their naked photos online.Robbie Hamilton pretended to be someone else on the dating app and told his fraud victim he was struggling financially and needed money to pay off loans and household bills.
He gained £8,339 from December 1 2020 to February 26 last year.
Hamilton previously induced four other men on Grindr – a dating app used by gay people – into sending him naked photos, which he used to extort or attempt to extort them for hundreds of pounds.
He told one target he had screenshotted his nude pictures and would “print them and post them all over Burntisland and the internet” unless he was paid.
Hamilton, of Dick Crescent in Burntisland, admitted the charges at an earlier hearing in April.
Robbie Hamilton used Grindr to defraud victim and threatened to post his nude photos all over Burntisland.
At Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane condemned his behavior as "vile," emphasizing the wrongfulness of his actions and stating, "Every single penny will be paid back." Procurator fiscal depute Lee-Anne Hannan explained Hamilton used a pseudonym on Grindr, claiming he was a 19-year-old from Anstruther who had lost his job, earning up to £6,000 per month, and was struggling financially.
He engaged in sexual conversations with his victims, requesting increasingly higher sums of money under false pretenses to pay off loans and bills.
In one instance, he threatened to post nude photos unless paid £100, and after receiving some funds, he continued to demand more.
He also extorted another victim for £420 by threatening to share naked images unless aid was provided.
When the victim sought legal advice, Hamilton retaliated by saying he was feeling suicidal and making the situation worse.
In September 2020, Hamilton extorted £420 from another man on Grindr by threatening to post nude photos unless more money was sent, initially promising he wouldn't contact him again.
He also extorted a separate victim for £30 by threatening to send photos to friends and family, and attempted to coerce another into paying £100 with a 30-second ultimatum.
Hamilton admitted his conduct during police arrest in September 2020, claiming it was “easy money.” He was also arrested in May last year for fraud, expressing remorse and saying "I'm sorry" when charged.
Defence lawyer David Cranston described Hamilton as remorseful, explaining that he was aged 18 and 19 during these offenses, had lost his job amid the pandemic, and had no prior offenses.
He now works as a milkman earning approximately £1,300 monthly, and is capable of paying compensation.
The court ordered Hamilton to pay £8,900 in compensation at £300 monthly, placed under a one-year supervision order, and required to complete 300 hours of unpaid work.
