Victoria Police alleges a group of teenage boys used dating apps to arrange meetings with unsuspecting men before allegedly assaulting and robbing them across Melbourne. Five males aged between 16 and 18 have been arrested and charged over a string of alleged incidents police are linking to a broader investigation into similar reports.
What police allege happened #
According to a statement from Victoria Police, investigators are looking into 11 reported incidents in which men were allegedly lured to arranged meeting points after making contact through dating apps. Police allege that once at the location, the men were set upon by a group, with some incidents allegedly involving physical assault, robbery and, in some cases, sexual assault.
Victoria Police said in a statement that officers were called to a series of locations across Melbourne over recent months in connection with the alleged pattern of offending. Police allege the five teenagers were part of a group who used the apps specifically to identify and target men for the alleged attacks, though the full details of how victims were selected remain before the courts.
We have been told by sources close to the investigation that detectives from a specialist crime unit had been building the case for some time before last week’s arrests. VCN has not independently verified the specifics of each of the 11 reported incidents, and police say the investigation remains ongoing.
The arrests and charges #
The five males, aged 16, 17 and 18, were arrested last week, according to Victoria Police. Court documents allege the teenagers face a range of charges including robbery, assault and sexual offences, though the specific charges against each individual have not been detailed publicly by police at this stage.
Because all five accused are, or were at the time of the alleged offending, minors, VCN is not naming any of them. Matters involving children under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 are subject to strict reporting restrictions in Victoria, and we do not identify young people who are the subject of Children’s Court proceedings. Where any of the accused are before the Children’s Court, those restrictions continue to apply regardless of the seriousness of the alleged offending.
No pleas have been entered in relation to any of the charges. Each of the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Why victims may not come forward #
Cases involving alleged sexual assault against men can be significantly under-reported, and specialist services say shame, stigma or fear of not being believed can all be factors. Victoria Police has said it is continuing to appeal for any other potential victims who may not yet have come forward to contact investigators or Crime Stoppers.
VCN will not publish any details that could identify a victim of an alleged sexual offence, in line with the Judicial Proceedings Reports Act 1958 (Vic). This applies regardless of the gender of the person allegedly targeted, and regardless of how that person was allegedly contacted or lured.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line and 1800RESPECT both offer confidential, free support for anyone affected by sexual violence, including men, and details are listed at the end of this article.
A pattern police say is not new #
Dating and hook-up apps have featured in a number of Victorian criminal investigations in recent years, with police periodically issuing warnings about the risks of meeting people arranged online without basic safety precautions. Victoria Police has previously advised app users to meet in public places, tell someone else their plans, and avoid sharing home addresses with people they have not verified are who they say they are.
It is understood investigators are examining whether other reported incidents across Melbourne, not yet formally linked to this group, may follow a similar pattern. VCN understands detectives are also reviewing whether any of the alleged incidents involved coordinated use of multiple accounts or profiles, though this has not been confirmed by police in an official statement.
Victoria Police said in a statement that the investigation, which has not been given a formal taskforce name, remains active and that further arrests have not been ruled out.
What happens next #
The matter has been adjourned, and it is expected that at least some of the accused will appear before the Children’s Court of Victoria at a later date, subject to further case management. Because of the ages of those charged, much of the detail that would typically be reported in an adult matter — including specifics of bail conditions or full charge sheets — may remain restricted from public reporting.
Victoria Police has asked anyone with information relevant to the investigation, including anyone who believes they may have had a similar experience after arranging to meet someone through a dating app, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Police have said all reports will be treated confidentially.
The matter is currently before the courts. All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Staying safe on dating and hook-up apps #
Family violence and community safety advocates routinely recommend a handful of practical precautions for anyone arranging to meet a person for the first time through a dating app, including:
- Meeting in a public place for the first encounter, rather than a private home or isolated location
- Telling a friend or family member where you are going and when you expect to be back
- Video calling before meeting in person to help confirm the other person’s identity
- Trusting your instincts if a conversation moves quickly toward an isolated meeting location
- Reporting suspicious profiles or behaviour directly to the app operator as well as police
Victoria Police has said these precautions apply equally to all users of dating and hook-up apps, regardless of gender or sexuality, and that anyone who believes they have been the target of a similar scheme should report it rather than assume it was an isolated incident.
If this story raises concerns for you, support is available. Contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, the Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 806 292, Safe Steps on 1800 015 188, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or 13YARN on 13 92 76. To report information to police anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
