Two friends are charged with raping sex workers after allegedly luring them to parks by responding to their online ads

Two men have been charged after raping sex workers who responded to their online ads.

The men, aged 26 and 28, placed ads on an online classifieds website in January requesting sexual services with women on the Gold Coast, police said.

At least two women agreed to have sexual encounters for money.

But when they met the men in parkland in Labrador, they were sexually assaulted, Detective Inspector Dane Sheraton said.

One woman was allegedly raped by one of the men in January, and the other woman was allegedly raped by both men in February.

Det Sgt Sheraton said the two men were friends.

Police believe several women in the Gold Coast area have been victims of similar incidents.

“The two offenses we have identified so far have similar circumstances surrounding them – we have reason to believe further offenses may have occurred,” Constable Sheraton said.

‘We encourage victims to come forward if they have been offended in similar circumstances.’

The 26-year-old man is charged with fraud, attempted rape and rape.

The other man, 28, was charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of rape.

Both appeared at Southport Magistrates Court this week.

The 26-year-old man has been remanded in custody, while the other was released on strict bail conditions.