Police warn of man targeting women on dating apps

The Calgary Police Service is warning the public about a man who is believed to be using fake identities on online dating apps to gain women’s trust before sexually assaulting them.

The man, identified as 43-year-old Ali Kiani of Calgary, is believed to frequent multiple dating platforms, using falsified profiles and aliases to meet victims.

According to police, in February 2024, a victim began exchanging messages with a man who introduced himself as “Alex” on a dating app. After chatting for about a week, they met in person at a local coffee shop. The next day, “Alex” requested to visit the victim at her home, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. He then deleted his dating profile and blocked access to his cellphone information.

After the incident was reported to police, the Calgary Police Service’s Sexual Assault Investigative Unit identified the suspect as Kiani and found that he may have been targeting other women through similar methods on dating apps.

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“I want to thank the victim for coming forward to report this sexual assault,” said Staff Sgt. Tom Hanson of the Calgary Police Service Sexual Assault Investigative Unit. “After an extensive investigation, we were able to identify the man responsible and hopefully prevent him from victimizing others.”

Police are urging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of sexual assault by Kiani, or have information about similar incidents, to contact police immediately.

Tips can be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at calgarycrimestoppers.org.