Traveled to New Jersey expecting to meet a 15-year-old boy he had been grooming on the dating app Grindr
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Bergen County NJ, A 56-year-old New York man is facing significant prison time after a Bergen County jury found him guilty of attempting to lure a minor for sexual assault. The conviction, announced on February 6, 2026, by Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, follows a high-stakes undercover operation targeting online predators.
Shaheen Lariff, of New City, NY, was convicted on all counts after a trial revealed he traveled to New Jersey expecting to meet a 15-year-old boy he had been grooming on the dating app Grindr.
The Sting: How Law Enforcement Caught Lariff
According to evidence presented at trial before Superior Court Judge Christopher R. Kazlau, Lariff initiated contact on the dating platform with an individual he believed was a teenage minor.
The investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern of deception and intent:
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False Identity: Lariff, who was 56 at the time of the offense, claimed to be a 31-year-old man to lower the victim’s guard.
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Explicit Intent: Despite being told the “victim” was only 15, Lariff continued explicit communications and discussed specific sexual acts.
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The Trap: Lariff traveled to a predetermined meeting location in Bergen County, expecting to encounter the child. Instead, he was met and arrested by members of the New Jersey State Police.
“The defendant here believed he was talking to a teenager and continued to try and set up an encounter to engage in sexual assault,” said Acting Attorney General Davenport. “Though he thought he was talking to a teenager, he was in fact talking to an undercover law enforcement officer.”
The Conviction: The Charges and Penalties
The jury returned guilty verdicts on all three counts in the indictment:
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Second-Degree Luring/Enticing a Child
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Second-Degree Attempted Sexual Assault
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Third-Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child
In New Jersey, second-degree crimes carry a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in state prison, while third-degree crimes carry 3 to 5 years. Lariff will also be subject to Megan’s Law registration and Parole Supervision for Life upon his eventual release.
Protecting Your Children: Online Safety Tips
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking on mobile dating and social media apps. Law enforcement officials urge parents to remain vigilant.
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Monitor App Usage: Be aware of age-restricted apps like Grindr, Tinder, or Discord on your child’s phone.
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Check Privacy Settings: Ensure location services are disabled for social apps to prevent predators from tracking your child’s physical location.
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Open Communication: Talk to your children about “catfishing” and the reality that people online are rarely who they claim to be.
“This case shows the dangers that our children face from online predators every day,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “Our prosecutors and law enforcement partners let us intercept this criminal before he could victimize a child.”
How to Report a Predator
If you suspect someone is attempting to lure a child or if your child has been contacted by a suspicious adult, contact the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force or call your local law enforcement immediately.
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