RCMP are investigating whether a man viciously beaten and tied up in a robbery at a Nanaimo hotel was the victim of a hate crime.

Police were contacted by the man, who was staying at a downtown hotel on business, at 8:48 a.m. Thursday.

He said he met another man at a licensed establishment and they went together to a hotel room where he was tied up, threatened and assaulted so badly he later required surgery.

The victim also had some of his property stolen, according to police.

Investigators are now looking into whether the crime may have been hate-motivated based on the sexual orientation of the victim, who is a member of the LGBT community.

Police are releasing surveillance images of the attacker in hopes someone will recognize him.

He’s described as a white man around 30 years old with a medium build, hair balding in the front, with a moustache and goatee.

He was reportedly wearing a white short-sleeve shirt, dark jeans and flip-flops.

Anyone with information is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.