Australia Arrests Dozens For Luring, Beating, Filming, And Robbing Gay Men Via Fake Hook-Up App Profiles

The Star Observer reports:

Victoria Police confirmed that 35 individuals—mostly males aged 13 to 20—have now been arrested in the past eight months. Police allege that the perpetrators used fake profiles on dating apps to lure men to locations where they were then assaulted, robbed, and subjected to homophobic abuse. In some cases, the attacks were filmed and shared online.

“These incidents have occurred in various suburbs across Melbourne including Manningham, Casey, Hume, Moorabbin and Knox,” a Victoria Police statement said. “Some of the incidents were filmed and uploaded to social media.”

The investigation, led by the Eastern Region Crime Team, has resulted in multiple charges including armed robbery, false imprisonment, violent disorder, affray, causing injury and other assault-related offences.

Read the full article. Hit the link for a breakdown of the various incidents and charges.

Victoria Police confirmed that 35 individuals—mostly males aged 13 to 20—have now been arrested in the past eight months for a spate of violent attacks where men were allegedly targeted through gay dating apps.https://t.co/hFlT4fTMB8

— Star Observer (@star_observer) May 9, 2025