BY BREANNA EDEBOHLS

A secretive doomsday cult is targeting university students across Melbourne. 

Members of the Shincheonji approach young Melburnians in shopping centres, train stations and on social media, under the false premise of companionship. 

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus was founded in Korea.

Members of the cult believe their leader Lee-Man-hee is the second-coming of Jesus Christ, and that the apocalypse is imminent. 

It is considered a pseudo-religion by mainstream churches, but has also been branded a "cult".

Indonesian international student Claire Wirahadi* was targeted by the Shincheonji during the 2021 COVID-19 lockdowns.

She said international students were particularly susceptible to the cult’s recruitment tactics. 

“When I first came to Australia, I kind of had a hard time adapting and fitting in,” Ms Wirahadi said.

I didn't know a lot of people, it was a new country, and I didn't have any family," she said.

“I feel like because these people are lonely, they kind of feel lost.

"This organisation comes in and gives them a sense of purpose, and they play with their emotions.”

Monash University student Daniel Phuong* was inducted into the religious sect after he unknowingly matched with a Shincheonji member on the dating app Hinge. 

“I found this girl who I thought was pretty, she looked very normal, very funny and outgoing, just from her profile,” Mr Phuong said.  

His date invited him to join a small bible study class in June, where he was introduced to the Shincheonji doctrine.

“It was all similar stuff that we've already heard before but explained in a very logical way, with bible verses to back it up," he said.

"It made a lot of sense, it was very logical, and it was actually a very beautiful message."

The two students were instructed to keep their bible study sessions a secret from their friends and families.

“We started learning about good and evil, and how the devil works,” Mr Phuong said.

"The final way is through other people, but more importantly, through the people that are closest to us," he said.

“So, to avoid being persecuted, we should not tell people that we're going to bible study class.”

Members of the Shincheonji would constantly contact Daniel and Claire during their involvement with the cult, creating a sense of comradery. 

“They check up on you regularly, just the simple ‘how are you doing today?’. They seem very friendly,” Ms Wirahadi said

Making the decision to leave is difficult because of the bonds that students form with the members of the Shincheonji community, Mr Phuong said.

“My only concern was for (my date), because I cared about her, even if she tricked me into caring about her.”  

Shincheonji Australia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

*The names of individuals mentioned in this article have been changed for privacy reasons.