Trigger warning: This post deals with the topic of child sex abuse and may be triggering for some readers.
A group of young vigilantes in Melbourne are attempting to uncover paedophiles on dating app Tinder by posing as an underage girl, Fairfax media reports.
Calling their investigation “The Tinder Experiment,” the group has set-up a fake profile on the dating app pretending to be 15-year-old ‘Imogen.’
The group, composed of three people in their early twenties, reportedly recorded conversations where ‘Imogen’ admitted her young age, despite her profile stating she was 18-years-old in order to meet Tinder’s minimum age requirements.
Whilst some men ended their communications with ‘Imogen,’ several still sent explicit messages and expressed a wish to meet with the 15-year-old after she posted a photo saying she was home alone.
The fake Tinder profile of “Imogen”.
Over the last several weeks, “The Tinder Experiment” have posted a series of secretly filmed videos on YouTube that document encounters with men who chose to meet with ‘Imogen.’
The first video includes two men aged 31 and 43 who were invited to what they believed was ‘Imogen’s’ house.
In the videos both men try to kiss ‘Imogen’ before another group member posing as her older brother interrupts them.
The most recent videos document ‘Imogen’s’ encounter with another older man. The videos show explicit messages sent from the 42-year-old and two meetings in which other group members confront him.
It should be noted that the information provided by the vigilantes has not been independently verified or investigated by police. The men in the video have not had an opportunity to tell their side of the story – or deny the allegations.
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Fairfax media reports Victoria police are now investigating, following the video uploads.
The members of “The Tinder Experiment”, who are choosing to remain anonymous, said on their social media accounts that they were concerned with drawing attention to inappropriate behaviour on Tinder.
“We want to highlight how easy it is for illegal behaviour to take place via mobile dating apps and how little consequences there is for the offenders,” the group told Fairfax media.
“We don’t think anyone realises just how common it is and how many people are getting away with it.”
There have been concerns expressed over the safety and benefit of the social experiment. Cyber safety consultant Susan McLean told Fairfax Media she wouldn’t recommend others trying the experiment.
“I can see this ending terribly for everyone involved. Yes we need these creeps arrested, but the police do this and they do this very well,” she said.
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What do you think of The Tinder Experiment?
Top Comments
A dangerous game to play. I think we all know this goes on regardless.
Not a game. Yes, dangerous. Well worth it to stop vile and filthy criminal predators in their tracks.
Well done at giving them the attention and fifteen minutes of fame they seek! The police outright said that they are the ones here breaking the law, in more ways than one and they could be charged with multiple offences - not the supposed 'predators' who they clearly said have broken no laws. I suspect they may be in on it themselves, and that this whole video was simply an attempt for viral fame.
Supposed predators? You mean the vile creatures who, although they knew they were dealing with a 15 year old CHILD chose to go and meet her anyway. What do you think their intent was, playing chess?
Odd really that you would choose to defend predators.