‘Pedo Hunters’ film tense confrontations in Perth after posing as teens online

Vigilantes known as the ‘Pedo Hunters’ have filmed themselves confronting an alleged child predator after posing as a 14-year-old-boy online.

Vigilantes known as the Perth Pedo Hunters have filmed themselves confronting an alleged child predator after posing as a 14-year-old-boy on dating app Grindr to lure him to a park.

On their social media pages, the Armadale duo showed a series of sexually suggestive messages from the app, allegedly sent by the man, that led up to the confrontation.

The man, who allegedly thought he was talking to a 14-year-old boy, arranged to meet in a car park but was instead greeted by the pair.

Filming the entire confrontation and providing the video as evidence to police, the citizens’ arrest resulted in the man being charged with a child abuse offence.

The men say within five minutes of creating the hoax profile last week, they received 30 messages from adult men in Perth asking for sexual encounters with a fake teenager, who they named “Jarrod”.

The vigilantes filmed the confrontation and posted it on social media.

“The way we look at it is, if it wasn’t us it could actually be a 14-year-old person meeting that adult, so I’d rather it be us than some innocent kid,” one of the men, who asked not to be named, told Channel 9 News.

“How can someone who’s a full-grown adult prey on someone who’s not even fully developed yet, a child? It’s just not right it’s downright disturbing.”

Grindr conversations posted on the Perth Pedo Hunters social media pages allegedly show the disturbing exchanges between Jarrod and the man.

“Yeah I’m 14,” Jarrod typed in one conversation.

“I love young,” the man allegedly replied.

“You don’t mind I’m only 14?” Jarrod typed.

“I am kool … R U free now babe?” (sic), the man allegedly said.

The vigilantes say they received 30 messages from adult men in Perth asking for sexual encounters with a fake teenager.

“Well I’m home alone coz mum and sister just left to go to my aunties for the day,” (sic) Jarrod typed.

They allegedly agreed to meet at Creyk Park in Kelmscott last Thursday morning.

The pair confronted a 61-year-old man and called police, who arrived within minutes and seized a man’s phone. A home was later raided where electronic equipment was seized.

Police charged the man with intent to procure a person believed to be under 16 years for sexual activity and was refused bail.

Last week, the pair filmed another two men who they allege tried to engage the Grindr profile of a fake teenager for a sexual encounter.

Footage allegedly shows one of the men break down in tears and confess.

“Okay, I’ve screwed up I know that,” he allegedly said. “I really like feel bad about myself. It was like a one time stupid … I’m sick.”

“You are sick, in the head mate,” the vigilantes replied.

As the man was being arrested, the vigilantes can be heard saying: “These are the kind of people that are trying to talk to your children. You want to be careful what your kids do online … always look out for them.”

If you or someone you know needs help or advice, call the Bravehearts information and support line on 1800 272 831. In an emergency, call triple-0

Originally published as ‘Pedo Hunters’ film tense confrontations in Perth after posing as teens online