In mid-October, an incident in Valencia once again raised concerns about the safety of online dating. A 33-year-old man, who had previously had trouble with the law, was detained by police after being accused of assaulting and robbing a new acquaintance of a large sum of money.
It all started with a typical chat on a popular dating app. The two men arranged to meet at one of their apartments. The evening seemed unremarkable, but things took a sudden turn. The guest, seizing a moment, slipped an unknown substance into his host’s drink. The victim quickly began to feel unwell and lost consciousness.
While the man was unconscious, the perpetrator took his wallet and mobile phone. When the apartment owner tried to stop the guest, the latter used force. Upon regaining consciousness, the victim found injuries to his head and mouth, as well as missing personal belongings. Neighbors, alarmed by the shouts and noticing a stranger hurrying down the stairs, called the police. The apartment door was left open, further heightening residents’ concerns.
The victim was hospitalized with serious injuries. It soon emerged that bank transactions totaling over a thousand euros had been made using his card. After filing a police report, an investigation was launched by the robbery division.
Two days after the incident, police identified and apprehended the suspect near the Estación del Norte railway station. The man has been charged with violent robbery and fraud. He is currently in custody awaiting a court decision.
This case serves as a reminder that even seemingly harmless encounters can turn dangerous. Police urge residents to be cautious when meeting new people, especially if inviting them into their homes.
