Prosecutors: Mass. man "catfished" eight armed robbery victims

BOSTON -- A Massachusetts man is accused of luring eight "dates" by posing as a woman and robbing them at gunpoint, according to CBS Boston.

Prosecutors say Rakeem Austin, 30, used an online dating service to lure eight people to a designated area for a purported romantic rendezvous with a woman, the station reported.

But when the victims arrived, Austin would allegedly rob them at gunpoint.

"After taking their items at gunpoint he forced the victims to lie on the floor," Prosecutor Michele Granda said in court.

One victim said that the suspect held a gun to his head and stole his wallet with his money and credit cards inside.

With a long criminal record, Austin was reportedly already wearing a GPS tracking device, which helped police identify him as the suspect in this so-called "catfishing" scheme, reported the station.

According to CBS Boston, Austin hid behind a door inside the Dorchester District Court Monday, where he facednumerous charges, including five counts of armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Austin is reportedly being held without bail and is due back in court on Dec. 18 for a probable cause hearing.