The Sector 9 Community Police Forum (CPF) in Chamdor is warning dating hopefuls to exercise caution when meeting someone for the first time via social media.

The warning follows a serious incident which occurred on Saturday evening, January 10.

According to CPF chairperson John Boreham, his team responded to a dangerous situation on Chamdor Road, where a young woman was rescued during a Facebook meet-up that had turned threatening.

“If it wasn’t for the fast response and quick action, we would be telling a very different and tragic story right now,” Boreham said.

He cautioned that meeting strangers through Facebook inbox chats, or ‘quick hook-ups’, can be extremely risky.

“Criminals often use fake profiles, sweet talk, urgency and promises to lure victims. What starts as a casual meet-up can escalate to kidnapping, assault, robbery or worse,” said Boreham.

Common warning signs during such meet-ups include:

• Pressure to meet quickly
• Requests to share live location
• Insisting on meeting at night or in isolated areas
• Offers of lifts from strangers
• Refusal to meet in public places
• Profiles with few friends or recent activity

Boreham advised that seekers should never meet someone they do not truly know and should always meet in public spaces such as malls, cafés, or police-patrolled areas.

“Inform a trusted person of your plans, share your location with family or friends and trust your instincts – leave immediately if something feels wrong,” Boreham concluded.