Alarming Attacks On Gay Men Worldwide
Perth Teens Face Charges for Violent Grindr Attacks
Six teenagers in Perth now face 52 charges for a series of attacks where they allegedly used Grindr to lure gay men before assaulting them. The group, with the youngest being 15 years old, allegedly attacked four men over two days in September last year in South Lake and Hamilton Hill.
Police told the court the teens used knives, metal bars and a Taser during the assaults. According to police reports, victims believed they were meeting a legitimate person.
“One of the victims was allegedly lured to Stillwater Gardens in South Lake, where he was approached by a group of males who began to verbally abuse him with homophobic slurs before assaulting him,” court documents revealed.
Some attacks were reportedly filmed and shared on social media. The case has resulted in victims being granted special witness status, protection typically reserved for sexual assault cases.
Four of the accused teens are currently on bail, with two in detention awaiting trial. A two-week trial is tentatively planned for November, with mobile phone evidence expected to be a major focus.
New York Bar Robberies Turn Deadly
In New York City, Andre Butts received an eight-year prison sentence for his role in a dangerous scheme targeting men at gay bars. This criminal operation, which ran from March 2021 to June 2022, resulted in two deaths.
Butts pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy charges. The group drugged victims with fentanyl-laced drinks, stole their phones, and used facial recognition to access bank accounts.
Julio Ramirez died after leaving a popular Manhattan gay bar and getting into a cab with three unidentified men. His bank accounts were drained days later, his brother said. (1/8)https://t.co/wzPjZPbTOF
— Jay Valle (@OfficialJValle) May 27, 2022
The case gained public attention after an NBC News report on the mysterious death of social worker Julio Ramirez, 25. Another victim, John Umberger, 33, was later found dead in his apartment.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated: “While it is fortunate that the victims targeted by Mr. Butts survived, I know they are still suffering from the trauma of this incident and hope they can continue to heal.”
Malaysian Student Gang Preys on App Users
In a similar case in Malaysia, a 41-year-old hairstylist was robbed after connecting with someone on a dating app. When he arrived at the meeting location in Seri Kembangan, two men tied him up and forced him to transfer RM67,000.
Serdang district police chief ACP AA Anbalagan confirmed: “After using the bathroom, the victim was then approached by two unknown men. One of the assailants hit the victim with a piece of wood while another used his phone to complete the transaction.”
Police later arrested five individuals aged 18 to 22, all students from higher education institutions. Authorities discovered this wasn’t an isolated incident, the group had committed similar crimes three times before.
Why Are These Attacks Happening Globally?
What makes these dating app users particularly vulnerable to such targeted attacks? The pattern shows criminals view them as less likely to report crimes due to privacy concerns or fear of discrimination.
We must acknowledge that dating apps, while connecting people, can also create opportunities for those with criminal intentions. Many users meet strangers in private settings without proper safety measures.
Do you check in with friends before meeting someone new online? This simple step could potentially save lives.
Police worldwide urge all victims to report these crimes regardless of circumstances. Reporting helps prevent future attacks and brings perpetrators to justice.
The need for greater safety measures and awareness is becoming increasingly important for all app users.
