Online dating application may have led to man being bashed, robbed

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]olice investigating the robbery and assault of a man in a Minto park last night believe the incident may be linked to an online dating application.

The 55-year-old man went to Coronation Park, located alongside Redfern Road near the railway station, under the belief he was meeting another person.

As the man stopped in the car park, a second male in the vehicle opened the passenger door, before a group of men approached the driver side door and threatened the older man.

The group demanded personal belongings, before punching him in the face, taking his car keys and fleeing the scene.

Officers attached to Campbelltown Police Area Command have commenced an investigation into the incident.

Police have also reminded the public of safety tips to keep in mind when online or 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;
• If you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or in danger then discontinue the meeting, contact police or in an emergency situation call Triple Zero (000).

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In a separate incident, police say a report will be prepared for the Coroner after the death of a 62 year old man in a single-vehicle crash in Wilton yesterday.

Police and emergency services were called to Whitticase Lane, Wilton, around 3pm after reports a Toyota Hilux had veered off the road and through a paddock before crashing into a tree.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but died at the scene.