Victorian man's fake profile lured victims: cops

A Melbourne man who allegedly pretended to be a woman online to lure his male victims has been charged with rape.

The Port Melbourne man was charged on Tuesday with rape, attempted rape, living on the earnings of a sex worker, sex work without a licence and possessing a drug of dependence.

The 40-year-old was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.

Police say the man contacted men on websites such as Locanto and Craig's List, claiming to be female.

Victims then attended a Port Melbourne property under the belief they were meeting a woman.

The offences are believed to date back to March 2016, with police saying the investigation was ongoing.