Hate crimes: Men lured and extorted on dating apps

International students from countries where homosexuality is illegal face targeted attacks after being lured through gay dating apps. These victims are subsequently assaulted and extorted, with perpetrators threatening to reveal their sexuality to their families abroad. This alarming trend was highlighted at a Victorian inquiry into hate crimes.

Organisations like Thorne Harbour Health and Switchboard Victoria reported a significant number of incidents. Since June 2024, Victoria police identified 95 attacks on gay and bisexual men, leading to 42 arrests. However, service providers believe the actual number is much higher, as victims often fear reporting to the police.

The attacks are described as deliberate and humiliating, often involving forced recitation of slurs and the filming of victims. This footage is then shared online, particularly within 'manosphere' communities, to boost the offenders' status. Some perpetrators are as young as 13, indicating a concerning trend of youth involvement in hate crimes.

Recurring patterns in these app-based assaults include victims being instructed to meet in public places before facing physical violence, filming, and extortion. While many cases occur in Melbourne's outer suburbs, clusters have also been noted in inner-city areas. Similar attacks have been reported globally, including in the UK, Canada, and the United States, with dating apps facilitating easier targeting of potential victims.