Calgary man charged with sexual assault as police warn of dating app use

Police in Calgary say there's a sexual predator that could be targeting numerous women and they want to prevent possible further attacks.

Calgary police are warning the public about a man they say used online dating apps to contact women with the intention of sexually assaulting them.

Officials say they were alerted in February 2024 by a victim who said she’d been exchanging messages with a man named “Alex.”

A week after they began communicating, the victim met him at a local coffee shop.

“The following day, Alex asked to spend more time with the victim, this time requesting to come to her home. The victim agreed, and when Alex arrived at the victim’s home, he began sexually assaulting her,” police said in a news release.

Alex left her home and the victim later reported the assault to police.

After the attack, Alex deleted his profile on the dating app and disabled his cellphone.

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An investigation by police determined the man had repeatedly created fake profiles to conceal his real identity across several dating apps.

“His interest is in meeting women, and he portrays himself as something completely different than what he really is,” said Staff Sgt. Tom Hanson during a media availability on Wednesday afternoon.

Investigators identified him as Ali Kiani, 43.

A court check confirms a 43-year-old Ali Kiani or his lawyer is scheduled to appear before a judge in Calgary on Thursday, for a charge of sexual assault from February 2024.

The matter in court is set for election and plea.

Police are releasing Kiani’s name and photo to protect the public.

He is described as 183 centimetres (6’) tall, 88 kilograms (195 pounds) with a medium build.

Officials hope releasing this information will prevent further attacks.

“There might be a significant number out there,” said Hanson.

“We would like to get the information out about this individual and the tactic that he uses to help anybody come forward.”

The CEO of the non-profit Fear is Not Love said there is an alarming trend of online predators.

“We are seeing the online environment being used and weaponized against women and people generally. … The online environment can be turned to threaten the security of people differently,” said Kim Ruse.

She adds that young people can be especially vulnerable.

“Some of these apps are very much geared towards engaging (young people) and some of these apps have messages that disappear and are built in a way that really engages young people and encourages them to connect (and) can be very frightening.”

Anyone who believes they are a victim of sexual assault is encouraged to report it regardless of when it occurred, and anyone with information about this or similar incidents is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

• TALK: 1-800-222-8477
• TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
• APP: P3 Tips

With files from Damien Wood