Crime & Safety

Boston 'Catfishing' Mugger Held on $75K Bail

Rakeem Austin is charged with a string of 8 armed robberies using an online dating service.

A Boston man was ordered held on $75,000 bail at his arraignment Monday following an arrest Friday in connection with an online “catfishing” robbery scheme, the Suffolk County DA’s office said.

Rakeem Austin, 30, is charged with a string of eight armed robberies using an online dating service. According to police, Austin falsely represented himself while online, arranged to meet the victims, and then robbed them at gunpoint.

Police said each of the eight robberies took place in Roxbury and Mattapan. Each robbery fit the description of “cat-fishing,” a deceptive activity in which a false social network account is set up for criminal purposes, police said.

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Austin was apprehended by virtue of an arrest warrant for armed robbery, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, and threats to commit a crime.

He’ll next appear in court on Dec. 18.

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