Four people have been charged following an investigation into the alleged assaults and robberies of four separate men on the Central Coast last month.
The four men reported being lured to meetings by deceptive profiles on dating apps in separate incidents in late March 2025 and early April 2025.
The men attended locations at the southern end of the Central Coast before they were allegedly seriously assaulted and robbed by a group of people.
Officers attached to Brisbane Water Police District established Strike Force Linwood to investigate the incidents.
On Sunday 23 March 2025, police stopped a vehicle at Terrigal where two boys – aged 17 and 15 – were arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station.
The younger boy was charged with affray, aggravated robbery and inflict actual bodily harm, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, and drive conveyance taken without consent of owner.
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear before a children's court on Friday 28 March 2025, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before the same court on Friday 15 May 2025.
The older boy was charged with affray, aggravated robbery and inflict actual bodily harm, and take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear before a children's court on Friday 28 March 2025, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before the same court on Monday 7 April 2025.
On Sunday 6 April 2025, police stopped the 17-year-old boy again at Bateau Bay, and following further inquiries, including a search of a nearby home, the boy was arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station.
There he was charged with breach of bail, robbery armed with offensive weapon, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He was refused bail to appear before a children's court on Monday 7 April 2025 where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court on Friday 16 May 2025.
Following further inquiries, police executed search warrants at two homes in Wamberal and Terrigal yesterday (Wednesday 23 April 2025).
Several items of interest were allegedly located and seized, and two boys – both aged 16 – were arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station.
One of the boys was charged with aggravated robbery and inflict actual bodily harm, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The other was charged with three counts of affray, two counts of aggravated robbery and inflict actual bodily harm, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction.
Both were refused bail to appear before a children's court today (Thursday 24 April 2025).
The NSW Police Force Engagement and Hate Crime Unit was notified continues to use a strong working relationship with peak LGBTIQ representative groups to assist police to reinforce and promote safety messaging around the use of the dating apps.
Anyone who may be a victim or witness of a hate related crime is encouraged to report the matter to police or LGBTIQ Liaison Officers so it can be investigated. Reports can also be made anonymously online via Crimestoppers or via phone on 1800 333 000. All users of dating apps are urged to take precautions when meeting people in person, such as meeting in a busy public place, sharing your location with a friend, asking for additional photos or a video chat, trusting your instincts if something feels off, and in an emergency, calling Triple Zero (000) immediately.
