In a troubling case that highlights the real-world consequences of viral social media trends, five students from Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts are facing serious criminal charges for allegedly orchestrating a violent ambush on a man they lured to campus through a dating app. Prosecutors say the teens, whose names have not been released, used Tinder to draw the 22-year-old victim into a basement lounge last October where they confronted him in a misguided attempt to stage a “predator catching” sting popularized on TikTok.
The students, one female and four males, are scheduled to be arraigned in Worcester District Court on Thursday on charges including conspiracy, kidnapping, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and witness intimidation. The female student is accused of initiating contact with the victim on Tinder, claiming to be 18 years old, and convincing him to come to the Assumption campus.
Staged Confrontation Turns Violent
Upon arriving and following the girl to the basement, the victim told police he was suddenly surrounded by a mob of around 25 students who began aggressively accusing him of being a pedophile and wanting to have sex with underage girls. Though the man repeatedly declared his innocence, insisting he had only wanted some friendly company while in town for his grandmother’s funeral, the verbal confrontation quickly escalated.
According to the police report, after briefly breaking free from the initial crowd, the victim was chased out to his car by students wielding cell phones, apparently recording the entire incident. He was then allegedly punched in the head as he attempted to get in his vehicle, with his car door being slammed on him before he managed to speed away and contact authorities for help.
“The group of vigilantes came out of nowhere and swarmed him, throwing around baseless accusations of pedophilia. He was just seeking some comfort while grieving, but wound up fearing for his life as this so-called ‘prank’ spun out of control.”
– Excerpted from the victim’s police statement
Inspired by Risky TikTok Trend
Investigators believe the students’ actions were inspired by “predator catching” videos that have proliferated on TikTok and other platforms, in which self-styled vigilantes pose as minors on dating apps to lure and confront alleged pedophiles. While those behind the trend often claim noble intentions, critics argue these amateur sting operations are, at best, legally dubious and potentially dangerous for all involved.
In this case, detectives found no evidence the victim was seeking underage partners, pointing to screenshots clearly showing the female student claiming to be 18. Assumption campus security footage also revealed a large group of students lying in wait and later celebrating the confrontation, suggesting the entire incident was a premeditated setup.
A Staged Event, A Real Victim
Perhaps most disturbing, police say, was the female student’s attempt to portray herself as a frightened victim once authorities got involved. She allegedly claimed the man had come to campus uninvited and that she had enlisted a male friend to chase him off after becoming concerned for her safety. However, security tapes and first-person videos circulating among students quickly exposed these claims as false.
Though the precise motivations remain unclear, it appears this “sting” was a deliberate attempt to create a viral moment at an innocent person’s expense. In their alleged eagerness for social media clout, the students seemingly ignored the obvious risks of luring a stranger for a confrontation, as well as the lasting trauma inflicted on their target.
“There’s a real victim here—a young man who came to our city to bury his grandmother, only to be senselessly attacked by a reckless mob. Whatever their intentions, these students must face the serious consequences of treating another person’s wellbeing as clickbait.”
– Statement from Worcester Police Chief
An Ongoing Investigation
As the charges against these students move forward, authorities say the investigation remains active. In addition to the five facing arraignment, a sixth has been charged as a juvenile, and police are working to identify other participants captured on video.
Meanwhile, the case serves as a stark reminder of the unintended dangers associated with viral vigilante trends. What may have been conceived as a prank or social experiment can quickly spiral into a traumatizing ordeal with serious criminal implications. As one detective put it, “There’s no Undo button when real people’s lives and safety are at stake.” For the man who thought he was meeting a new friend on a painful day, that lesson came at a steep price.
