Gay men in the Canberra region have been warned of a ring of blackmailers operating on gay hook-up apps in the city.
The AIDS Actions Council has told the ABC of two separate accounts this week and they suspect due to the nature of the activity there may be more men dealing with this action that are too worried about coming forward.
The ABC understands the perpetrators earn users’ trust online but when they meet in person they threaten to expose them if they did not pay them money.
“We’ve put out this warning to alert people that there has been a couple of incidences,” director Philippa Moss said to The ABC.
“When they [the victims] have turned up they’ve been blackmailed and ended up in unsafe situations.
“[They said] they’re going to exploit them if they don’t give them money they’re going to tell their friends and family what they’re doing.”
Ms. Moss said the targets could be vulnerable.
“People don’t necessarily admit that this is what they’re doing. There is stigma and discrimination attached to using these apps for hook ups,” she said.
Last Updated on Jan 27, 2017
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