In a case that has left many questioning the safety of online dating, two young women have been arrested for luring a man through a dating app and shooting him.
Julia Dell Yepez and Alexa Montano Corral, both 20, allegedly used the Latino-focused dating app Chispa to set up a robbery that ended with the victim hospitalized with gunshot wounds.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office arrested the women following an investigation into the May 17 shooting near Highway 99W and Lakeside Drive in Corvallis, Oregon.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, was found shot inside a vehicle but is expected to survive his injuries, as they were described as non-life-threatening.
Authorities believe the women intentionally used the Chispa dating app, which caters to Latino and Latina singles, to lure the unsuspecting victim to a location where they planned to rob him.
The scheme quickly escalated to violence, with witnesses reporting seeing two Hispanic women fleeing the scene after the shooting.
Yepez now faces serious charges including attempted murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree kidnapping. Her bail has been set at $300,000.
Corral has been charged with conspiracy to commit multiple felonies, including conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and first-degree assault, with her bail set at $250,000.
Law enforcement has revealed that both women are also connected to other crimes in a nearby county, suggesting this may not have been their first criminal enterprise.
The U.S. Marshals Service has joined local authorities in the ongoing investigation, indicating the serious nature of the crimes.
The dating app ambush comes amid growing concerns about online dating safety nationwide.
Similar incidents have been reported across the country, including violent robberies targeting men who believe they are meeting potential romantic partners.
Meanwhile, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office has issued an appeal for information from anyone who may have interacted with Yepez or Corral through online dating platforms.
This suggests investigators are concerned there could be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
Safety experts have long warned about the dangers of meeting strangers online, advising people to always meet in public places, inform friends or family about their plans, and be cautious about sharing personal information.
The company behind Chispa has not issued a statement regarding the incident or what safeguards it has in place to protect users from such schemes.
Dating apps have faced increasing criticism for not doing enough to verify users’ identities or screen for potential criminals.
As this investigation continues with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies, authorities remind the public to exercise extreme caution when arranging meetings through dating apps or social media platforms.
This case demonstrates how quickly what appears to be a romantic encounter can turn into a life-threatening situation.
