Premium Content:

Perth vigilantes sign on to Grindr to hunt for pedophiles

A Perth man has been arrested by police after being apprehended by two vigilantes who posed as a teenage boy on dating app Grindr, luring the man to a Kelmscott park.

- Advertisement -

It is alleged that after sharing explicit messages, and twice describing themselves as a fourteen year old boy, the pair arranged to meet the man in Kelmscott’s Creyk Park. When he arrived they called police who arrested the man.

A 61 year old Camillo man was charged with intent to procure a person believed to be under 16 years for sexual activity and was refused bail. He has been remanded in custody until a court hearing next month.

The two men call themselves ‘Perth Pedo Hunters’ and have told Nine News that they were inundated with messages when they set up their fake profile, and multiple people attempted to set up meetings with them. Last night the network plays blurred footage of their interaction and several other men.

Police have confirmed that anyone can make a citizen’s arrest if they believe the law is being broken, but 000 must immediately be called to summon police to access the situation. The two men told Nine News that they considered their actions a community service and they would be continuing to attempt to attract more men online.

Videos of people confronting alleged pedophiles have been shared on social media apps including Tik Tok and YouTube.  Earlier this year The Verge documented the growing trend and noted the focus is often on apps designed for a gay audience.

While these vigilante stings can often lead to convictions, it has also see those setting up the fake accounts landing in trouble. In 2017 South Australian police arrested an Adelaide man for breaching the evidence act after he posted videos of people he had confronted.

OIP Staff


Love OUTinPerth Campaign

Help support the publication of OUTinPerth by contributing to our
GoFundMe campaign.

 

 

 

 

Latest

WA Ballet unveil bold new work ‘Butterfly Effect’

Alice Topp's first full length ballet is a triumph.

Fresh Tracks | The latest tunes worth checking out

New tracks from Lady Gaga, Tame Impala, Faithless, Saint Etienne and Confidence Man, and Ladytron.

On This Gay Day | Remembering Leonard Matlovich

The US airman appeared on the cover of TIME magazine in 1975 sharing that he was gay. He was discharged from the military.

The Last Mile: Dr Daniel Vujcich interview

WAAC CEO Dr Daniel Vujcich talks about strategies to achieve Australia's 2030 HIV goals.

Newsletter

Don't miss

WA Ballet unveil bold new work ‘Butterfly Effect’

Alice Topp's first full length ballet is a triumph.

Fresh Tracks | The latest tunes worth checking out

New tracks from Lady Gaga, Tame Impala, Faithless, Saint Etienne and Confidence Man, and Ladytron.

On This Gay Day | Remembering Leonard Matlovich

The US airman appeared on the cover of TIME magazine in 1975 sharing that he was gay. He was discharged from the military.

The Last Mile: Dr Daniel Vujcich interview

WAAC CEO Dr Daniel Vujcich talks about strategies to achieve Australia's 2030 HIV goals.

Omar Rudberg releases emotional new song ‘Dying’

The video for the new song sees Omar pouring his heart out in a torrential downpour.

WA Ballet unveil bold new work ‘Butterfly Effect’

Alice Topp's first full length ballet is a triumph.

Fresh Tracks | The latest tunes worth checking out

New tracks from Lady Gaga, Tame Impala, Faithless, Saint Etienne and Confidence Man, and Ladytron.

On This Gay Day | Remembering Leonard Matlovich

The US airman appeared on the cover of TIME magazine in 1975 sharing that he was gay. He was discharged from the military.