Boston Police Arrest Man For String Of 'Catfishing' Robberies
BOSTON (CBS) – Police arrested a Dorchester man and charged him for a string of armed robberies that started with a "Catfish" scheme on social media and dating websites.
Rakeem Austin, 30, is charged with eight armed robberies that were set up using a fake online profile.
Boston Police said victims would make contact with a person they met online and eventually meet them in person.
When the victim would arrive to the addresses in Mattapan and Roxbury, they were robbed at gunpoint.
Austin is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Dorchester District Court.
"Thanks to the hard work and collaboration between these units, we have taken a dangerous armed robber off the streets," said Boston Police Commissioner William Evnas. "It was clear that this suspect would continue to commit these crimes until we stopped him, so our detectives worked around the clock to find out who he is, make a case against him, and effect his arrest."