Three men fell victim to brutal attacks on a dating app in Upper Austria!

Three men fell victim to brutal attacks on a dating app in Upper Austria!

At the beginning of April 2025, in Mühlviertel, Upper Austria, three men who were contacted via a dating app were the target of attacks. Two young men aged 20 and 22 are said to have used this to lure their victims to secluded places. During one of the attacks, a 25-year-old from the Linz-Land district was robbed, while the other two men were merely the target of property damage.

The Linz public prosecutor's office has confirmed the incidents and taken the suspects into custody. Investigators suspect that the perpetrators are copycats who were inspired by recently uncovered hate crime cases. This type of crime is a serious problem these days and is seeing a significant increase, especially online.

The incidents in detail

The first attack occurred on April 1, 2025, when the two perpetrators arranged a meeting with their first victim. At this meeting they appeared masked and armed with a CO2 pistol and a baton. They forced the victim to hand over his cell phone and withdraw cash from an ATM. However, an online banking transfer failed.
The following night, the suspects lured another 25-year-old from the Wels-Land district and a 26-year-old from the Vöcklabruck district to Mauthausen and Langenstein, where they used violence again. Here, however, they only stabbed the two men's car tires.

By closely observing one of those affected, the suspect's license plate number was determined, which led to the perpetrators being quickly identified and arrested. When the emergency services searched their vehicle, they found balaclavas, a gas pistol, a folding knife and a baseball bat. The two young men said they had problems with pedophiles, although neither victim fell into that category.

The problem of hate crimes

The incidents in the Mühlviertel are not isolated, but are in the context of a growing number of hate crimes worldwide. According to an analysis of examples of hate crimes, these crimes are often characterized by prejudices directed against ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and other characteristics. In the US, hate crime rates have been increasing since 2014, with a significant increase in the years up to 2020. Similar trends are also evident in the UK and Canada, with reports of violence against LGBTQ+ individuals and other minorities being particularly alarming.

The dangerous connection between online platforms and hate crimes is reinforced by the increasing use of social networks. Hate speech can play a critical role in inciting physical violence and has increased significantly in recent years, highlighting the need for effective measures to combat such crimes.

Investigations into aggravated robbery and property damage are currently underway in Upper Austria, as society continues to reflect on the increasing violence and dangers of hate crimes. The incidents in the Mühlviertel show how important it is to stand up against discrimination and prejudice and to ensure the safety of all members of society.

For further information on the incidents and the background, please refer to the reporting by vienna.at referred. Additional details are also on noen.at and statistical insights comparitech.com to find.