Students Behind Alleged TikTok 'Catch a Predator' Attack Face Charges

Police say a group of college students in Massachusetts have been charged in connection with a TikTok-inspired To Catch a Predator stunt in which a man was allegedly assaulted.

Per a report from regional Boston outlet WCVB, Assumption University students in Worcester are accused of setting up a Predator-style sting of a 22-year-old, with police saying the incident was centered on false claims against the man. The man is said to have first began speaking with an 18-year-old Assumption University student on Tinder, with their talks eventually leading to an in-person meeting. During this meeting, it’s alleged that several dozen students participated in a targeted attack on the man in question.

At one point in the October 2024 incident, per police, the man was chased by what’s described as a “mob” of students. Police say this was captured on campus video, which has been cited heavily in subsequent reports into the investigation and ensuing charges. As for the claims against the alleged victim, police say those accusations, namely that the man was pursuing people who were underage, have been determined to be false.

Charges against students alleged to have been involved in the incident include kidnapping and conspiracy, though some are also facing additional charges, intimidation and assault among them.

When reached for comment by Complex, Assumption University President, Greg Weiner, called the alleged behavior of the students “abhorrent.” He also pointed noted that a total of six students were charged, with NBC News noting that one of the six is listed in docs as a juvenile.

“The behavior described in the court filing is abhorrent and antithetical to Assumption University's mission and values,” Weiner said. “In all circumstances, we expect our students to exercise sound judgment and uphold the principles of respect, responsibility, and character that define our community. Once the incident was reported, the Department of Public Safety commenced an immediate and thorough investigation--with concern for the victim at the forefront--which resulted in our Campus Police filing charges against six students.”

Weiner continued, “This situation is particularly sobering because the victim is an active-duty military service member. His service reminds us of the sacrifices made by those who defend our freedoms, including the opportunity to pursue a college education.”

Complex has also reached out to reps for the Worcester Police Department for comment. This story may be updated.

This isn’t the first incident of its kind, as similar allegations were brought against teens in Illinois in December.

The resurgence of To Catch a Predator, which originally existed as Dateline NBC-associated TV project in the mid-2000s, has been particularly viable in recent years. Those aiming to mimic the show’s format for mere entertainment, however, have also run into some serious trouble as a result of this approach. Last October, for example, Lil Pump and Vitaly Zdorovetskiy were named in a lawsuit filed over an alleged instance of staging a Predator-like recording targeting an Uber driver.