Royal Investigations is issuing an urgent public warning to both local and international tourists following a significant increase in investigations involving tourists who have allegedly been targeted, drugged, robbed, and restrained in hotel rooms within Cape Town’s CBD and surrounding tourist precincts.

Royal Investigations is issuing an urgent public warning to both local and international tourists following a significant increase in investigations involving tourists who have allegedly been targeted, drugged, robbed, and restrained in hotel rooms within Cape Town’s CBD and surrounding tourist precincts.

According to information gathered during these investigations, unsuspecting tourists often access popular dating Apps such as Tinder and other location-based social networking platforms in an effort to meet local individuals. It is through these platforms that they are identified, targeted and lured by perpetrators operating sophisticated “honey trap” schemes.

According to information gathered during these investigations, unsuspecting tourists often access popular dating Apps such as Tinder and other location-based social networking platforms in an effort to meet local individuals. It is through these platforms that they are identified, targeted and lured by perpetrators operating sophisticated “honey trap” schemes.

Once inside the victim’s hotel room or accommodation, the suspects allegedly encourage the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Investigative findings indicate that victims’ drinks are suspected to have been laced with disabling substances.

Victims lose consciousness shortly thereafter and awaken several hours later—often the following morning—to discover they have been restrained, their valuables stolen, and in some instances their bank accounts emptied out.

Several victims have suffered substantial financial losses after suspects gained unauthorised access to their mobile banking applications. Once the victim has been rendered incapacitated, the perpetrators have ample time to operate without resistance. During this period, they are often able to bypass fingerprint and facial recognition security features by using the victim’s biometric authentication, enabling them to access banking applications, transfer funds, and empty accounts before fleeing the scene.

Royal Investigations has identified recurring patterns across several investigations that indicate these offences may not be isolated incidents.

Our investigations have identified two women who repeatedly feature in matters currently under investigation. Their identities have been established and the information has been shared with the relevant law enforcement authorities as part of ongoing criminal investigations.

Our investigations have identified two women who repeatedly feature in matters currently under investigation. Their identities have been established and the information has been shared with the relevant law enforcement authorities as part of ongoing criminal investigations.

Investigative intelligence indicates that the suspects are believed to operate primarily from the Woodstock area while deliberately targeting tourists staying within Cape Town’s CBD, the V&A Waterfront, Green Point, Sea Point, and neighbouring tourist destinations. By creating numerous dating profiles, they significantly increase the likelihood of matching with visitors based solely on geographic proximity.