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Robbery In Sydney Linked To Dating App

Three men have been arrested following the incident

A 23-year-old man who believed he was meeting up with a woman from an online dating app has been assaulted and robbed, police say.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the man was on his way to Wallis Parade, North Bondi, on Sunday, when he was allegedly chased by three men. Police say one of the men assaulted the victim and took his wallet.

Police have arrested three people—aged 20, 18 and 17—in connection with the incident they believe is linked to a dating app.

The 18-year-old has been charged with robbery and is expected to face court next month, Nine News reports.

Police NSW issued the following recommendations to protect yourself online and when meeting people:

• Do not send a picture of yourself to someone you don’t know and never place a full profile and picture anywhere on the internet;

• Never give out personal information including your name, home address, phone number, private email address, details of where you work or recreational activities;
• Do not activate your webcam to anyone you don’t know personally;
• Use dating, chat room or other meeting sites that have established vetting protocols to verify its members;
• Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone you have only chatted with on the internet. If you do decide to meet a person, always take a friend and ensure the meeting is in a public place;
• Consider disabling the GPS function on application settings as this lets people know where you are located; 
• Never give out your passwords or financial details; and,
• If you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or in danger then discontinue the meeting, contact police or in an emergency situation call Triple Zero (000).

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ 

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