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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
Hannah Neale

Tinder catfisher's 'deliberate' fake profile 'lured victims for casual sex'

A Tinder catfisher's "deliberate and methodical" use of a fake profile was done for the purpose of "luring victims for casual sex", a magistrate has found.

Robelt Harthur Hilarion Urdanivia was handed a nine-month jail sentence in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday. The sentence was backdated to take time already spent in custody into account.

The 29-year-old Peruvian national is set to be deported back to his home country once he is released from prison on Sunday.

Hilarion Urdanivia had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of committing an act of indecency without consent.

On Friday, magistrate Glenn Theakston said Hilarion Urdanivia's use of a fake profile was a "deliberate and methodical attempt to conceal [his] identity and features".

He did this for the purpose of "luring victims for casual sex," Mr Theakston found.

"The victims were lured onto the premises on the premise of engaging with someone other than the offender.

"[Hilarion Urdanivia] tried to maintain the deception while abruptly fondling the victims."

The man used a fake Tinder profile to lure victims. Picture Shutterstock

The magistrate said the two victims had been "alone with a stranger in an unfamiliar home in the dark", and the catfisher "took advantage of them".

In January, Hilarion Urdanivia pretended to be a tanned and athletic man named "Raul" on Tinder.

The first victim became suspicious as Hilarion Urdanivia, wearing a hoodie to obscure his appearance, guided her through his darkened home.

He was described as a "chubby", shorter man than the person she expected.

The woman said multiple times, "I don't want this", but Hilarion Urdanivia ignored her and touched her genitals multiple times.

She screamed and ran to her car after the man unlocked the door.

The second victim was indecently assaulted nine days later; when she arrived at the home, Hilarion Urdanivia touched her genitals and said: "I'll lick you, baby."

She said "no" and ran from the home after the assaults.

  • Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.
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