Criminals drug homosexuals and rob them
Published: Friday, Dec 8th 2023, 16:01
Updated At: Friday, Dec 8th 2023, 16:02
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The cantonal police forces of Bern and Vaud warned on Friday of a new scam by criminals using homosexuals as victims. The victims are drugged and robbed under the pretext of an intimate relationship. Several such cases have been reported in Switzerland and neighboring countries.
According to the two cantonal police forces, the perpetrators of this phenomenon often use the same trick. They lure their victims with fake profiles on internet dating platforms.
After making contact, they arrange to meet the person they have met for a paid massage or other service at their home. At home and without their knowledge, they are drugged and then robbed or even assaulted while in a state of unconsciousness.
Incident in Bern
On November 7, 2023, a victim in the canton of Bern contacted the Bern cantonal police. The night before, he had arranged to meet a stranger for a massage in Bern via the dating platform romeo.com. He was then allegedly drugged and robbed, according to a press release on Friday. The Bern-Mittelland public prosecutor's office has launched an extensive investigation.
Since 2021, eleven suspected cases involving this procedure and anaesthesia with synthetic drugs have been documented in Switzerland. There have been cases in the cantons of Bern, Baselland, Geneva, Vaud, Zug and Zurich.
Two Romanians arrested
Two suspects, Romanian nationals aged 27 and 41, were arrested abroad. Investigators in the various cantons are working to identify further suspects.
The cantonal police forces held an operational meeting in Lausanne last week with the support of the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) in order to coordinate and exchange investigative information.
Prudent victim support
In response to the incidents, Pink Cross welcomed the investigative work carried out and called for close cooperation between the affected community and its specialist organizations. The umbrella organization of gay and bisexual men in Switzerland stated that particularly careful victim support is necessary for taboo subjects such as this.
"Such assaults are encouraged by social taboos, shame and discrimination against gay and queer lifestyles," said Roman Heggli, CEO of Pink Cross.
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