More Grindr Hookups Are Turning Into Ambushes
A disturbing trend is putting Australian men at risk. Across the country, attackers are using fake profiles on dating apps like Grindr to lure people into ambushes, resulting in violent assaults and robberies. What starts as a chat can end in a brutal confrontation.
As reported by ABC TV’s 7.30 Report, a Saturday night chat on Grindr last spring turned into a nightmare for a man they called “Josh”. The profile seemed perfect, detailed and articulate, giving no red flags. “It looked very legitimate. I didn’t see it coming at all,” he told the ABC.
But when Josh arrived at a park in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs for the meet, he was ambushed by three men with metal bars. They beat him while yelling slurs, filming the attack, and leaving him with injuries so severe he nearly ended up in intensive care.
A nationwide pattern of violence.
Josh’s experience is far from isolated. This new wave of targeted violence is happening across Australia, often carried out by groups of men or boys as young as 13.
In Western Australia, five teenagers were recently jailed for planned attacks, one of which involved tasering a man until he lost teeth. Victoria Police has arrested 35 alleged offenders in connection with similar incidents, while New South Wales Police has laid 39 charges since January 2024. The attacks are widespread, from metropolitan cities to regional centres.
Behind the violence, a disturbing motive…
Police believe the motives go beyond simple robbery. Jeremy Oliver, Victoria Police’s LGBTQIA+ Communities Portfolio Manager, points to a rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric. He described a practice of “posting and boasting”, where videos of the assaults are shared online to shame victims.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker suggests offenders may see themselves as vigilantes, acting on their own prejudices. They exploit the fear and potential shame some men may feel about their sexuality, making them appear to be easier targets.
So what stops victims from coming forward?
Authorities acknowledge these crimes are significantly under-reported. Many victims fear that reporting the crime will force them to be outed or that personal details from their phones will be exposed.
Both NSW and Victoria police forces have stressed that they only need evidence relevant to the case, not the entire contents of a victim’s phone. “We want victims to know it is never too late to make a report,” said Victoria Police Senior Constable Shaun Kelly.
Josh, who has since recovered from most of his injuries, agrees. “I would say to other victims, don’t be scared to come forward because we want to hold those accountable for what they’ve done.”
