seems legit.

Thanks Reka,

I am dealing with antiques so I came to Geneva on April 17 as I was going to buy some items from Swiss company on 18th, my invoice was 6000 chf but took 7000 just in case...

I didnt use credit card cuz in my country conversion and withdrawal fees are quite high so took cash...

the point is i was not looking for classic night club, just rather a disco, i spoke to people on the street to recommend me nice places in area and i was told : White N Silver, Velvet, Garconiere and Petit Palace- i found out velvet and garconiere are like stripper clubs which i dont like, while WNS and PP are normal disco- so i went to WNS and as it was closed i went to PP..

I know many people can match desciption but at that night the club was full and she was the only black person there plus she knew a lot of people there! she spoke to some employees like good friend and she told me she often come there so i hope maybe someone also often go there and know her

Yes, I do remember everything but only till certain moment! I dont even remember if we went to hotel by walk or by taxi, thats why i suppose she might have put drugs to my drink...that night i drunk only beers! and its first time i lost memory...

The point is hotel, didnt have cameras..i spoke to receptionist just at morning and i was told cameras are fake and manager confirmed this too...thats one of the reason i consider Geneva as unsafe...My night was 200 CHF what is not so much for Switzerland but quite a lot in general and hotel had 4 stars but they cut costs on cameras while real ones may cost 50 CHF...

I know 99% poplepl here won't help me but I hoped that maybe there will be one person who can help and i gave my email to contact me priv. I know I was quite careless and story seems unbelievable but on the other hand why should i waste my time, create an account and make up such story? 

Thanks and have a nice day!

Reka,

PP is a disco not a cabaret, and its perfectly plausable that Peter was drugged and robbed.

The same happened to me in both Stockholm and Frankfurt, in top quality trendy bars.... thankfully I had considerably less cash, and only lost my blackberry and cc (which I cancelled). In Stockholm my last memory was when I was still in the bar, and I awoke 12hrs later in my hotel room, I only know about that one event from the hotel concierge, who told me I was returned by taxi, and the taxi driver found me on the street fighting off two robbers outside the bar... (Im glad that even drugged I can still scrap like a proper Irishman)... In Frankfurt however its a complete blank.... same last memory of a bar, and waking up 12 hrs later.... nothing inbetween. The police were not helpful in  either situation , since they take the view that when excessively drinking anyone can black out memories.. (even my statements that Im a seasoned Irishman who can outdrink the best and dont loose my memory didnt help....and the 5 star hotels I was staying at didnt have cameras either.... 

The date rape drugs ARE used on men... thats a fact.... not for sex unfortunately :-))) , but to rob them.

for PETER.... sadly you wont get any joy from the Geneva authorities, or any others in my experience (German or Swedish)... its a crime you will have to put down to experience... even if you eventually identify the woman involved, the evidence is circumstantial, and you cant proove "she" stole from you... so unfortuately you will have to let this slide. Sorry.

Hi Charlie

thanks for answer

I do know that there is 99% chance I wont get back money but it was so significant amount for me that I will do everything believing that even 1% chance is worth of trying...

my main problem is not to prove it , surprisingly I do have some evidence she stole my money which may hopefully work but I cant write about it cuz in the case she ever read it all evidence gets ruined..

my problem is I do not know how to find her and as i wrote already i didnt get any help in Switzerland...I am afraid she may be even out of country..

Since when Russia is in Central Europe?

Since he got drugged.

Oh makes sense. I've been thinking about a trip to Amsterdam, in Asia.

Matey, your stories are epic. Just don't forget to preface them with -18 rating and "Kids, don't try this at home".

....isnt that Amsterdam prés de Bang-cock?

No, it's the one near Cork, North Korea.

Just a gentle reminder.

AFRICA is a continent and not a country.(350 million inhabitants)

Another reminder, Geneva is one of the safest cities on earth.

You may just be an unlucky guy (be more careful in choosing your female company eg nice face? nice breasts ?? etc etc )

Everybody, this is again turning into a Genva is unsafe thread... we have enough of those. This guy is - I presume - genuinely looking to try and sort out his problem. I think he's got the point that he was stupid already in the 1st place, otherwise he wouldn't have posted this here. We've all made our mistakes - learned from them - and moved on - like I did, like Charlie did etc.etc. In stead of trying to look smart, or just troll or bash somebody into the ground - PROOVE for a change that Geneva is a nice place, and not full of expats who know it all better. The guy had a question - period. He doesn't need our opinion of what we think of him - wether it's right or wrong what he did in the first place! The only reasonable reply so far was from Charlie!! it's just the system - and we have to live with it. But at least not bash the guy. He's trying to find some information, I'd say - if you want to look funny - go to the Geneva is Unsafe thread, because that's the right place for it.

Him having " [email protected]  " is all the reason to not take him too serious or he is just slightly ignorant.

But, just in case it would all be true, as you say you made (similar?) mistakes and so did Charlie, I think we can get a group thing going. As it hasn`t happened to me yet, I will host it for a friendly Genevoise fee of say 450 CHF an hour? I think I know a nice venue in Paquis.

Thomas - I fully agree with you on the email. - but imagine a small chance that he really had this happening to him - and he's - like I said - looking to find a solution for his - I admit - weird misfortune - who are we to bash him. I'm only saying - I strongly disagree either that Geneva is unsafe, however - iso making fun out of it - try to help him - that's why this forum is for, right? If we take the mickey out of him it turns into the same thing as the Geneva is unsafe thread - and IMHO I've seen more than enough of that.

BTW - Does the CHF 450 include the nice girl???? ;-) (off topic - I know)

Or maybe you have no sense of humor.

That's a bit weird.... if he really would have had these problems... I find it fairly childish just to bash him - iso of helping him out... I guess you are one of those blokes who laughs when an old lady falls and drops her bag of groceries - iso of helping her out... I'd rather lack sense of humor than, and help her (or him) in this case out....

Agree with:

"I find it fairly childish just to bash him - iso of helping him out... "

There is literally nothing to gain from bashing this guy. 

Sorry. Let me rephrase that.

There is literally one thing to gain from bashing this guy, and that is maybe for a few laughs from other like-minded GLocals.  Is it worth making this guy feel like more of a sack of ish to get a few laughs?  I would have maybe said yes...when I was 16.

Being that I'm an adult now, upon seeing a post like this, I would do one of the following:

- Comment about information if I had it
- Comment with condolences, should I so wish
- Comment on how harsh others are being to someone that very well could have been in a terrible situation and is now trying to sort it out in whatever way he can

If you can't say something nice...

OK, I'm done my rant now *steps off his soapbox*

Comes with an extra charge, just leave a well filled wallet in your bedroom.

would Leu's do? I know somebody who might have some left over.....

To all you naive (nice world for plain stupid) or missing basic street smarts people out there and your pathetic lamentations.

I don't know many students who stay in hotels.

I don't know many students who have thounsands of francs in cash lying around.

Even less students who deal with expensive antiques.

All those "recommended" places are either girly bars or notorious hang outs for hookers.

If you a re looking for adventure, adventure finds you.

PS: Nir, can I borrow your Velvet memberhip card, my fridge is empty and I want to order take-away this weekend ;)

Catalin... I think it just prooves more the circles you hang out in... I know many students - or ex students for that matter who actually run quite a succesfull business for themselves, and actually do sleep in expensive hotels and do cary cash sometimes. In stead of holding up their hands and trusting father state to provide them with cash - they go out there and actually undertake things.

Has nothing to do with street wise.... Bill Gates started his company whilst being a student - So did Steve Jobs. And they quite quickly became quite succesfull. Don't judge the book by it's cover. But since you know all about these places, I wish you good luck with all your street wisdom.

People here are not naive at all - they are just normal nice people - having normal human trust in each other untill otherwise proven. That's not weird - that makes us good normal human beings. Just stop trying to be funny - and stop begging for somebodies Velvet card... if you where a succes, you would have had one for yourself....

Yes. And pigs fly. I'm sure you know many.

I guess pigs do fly - I'm sure you take a flight with Easyjet every now and than... Guess that counts as humor than? ;-) Have a nice evening everybody - I'm going to hang out with nice naive (or in somebodies else's wording - plain stupid)  people - and enjoy Geneva!!! With all it's flaws!!!

Yep :-)

Peter, that sucks man... I no longer live in Geneva but while I was there it seemed like the most unsafe city of all. Really. I live in Sofia now and I am comparing it -- Geneva is really unsafe compared to so many other places that are supposed to be more unsafe. It's very unsafe for women on the street -- but's that's another "creepo" topic that I used to write about. A girlfriend of mine was attacked by a guy who followed her, entered her car and started choking her... and lots of other stories... It is the place that attracts the most frauds due to high wealth concentration. It comes with the money really. In summer the city is full of scam artists and gamers; people try to steal your watch while showing you something; fete du Geneve is a haven for pickpockets... not to speak about all the begging trafficking rings ... it's all organized crime. And yes, also the sex industry and frauds surrounding it ... your story sounds plausable although unfortunate. The person was a fraud. I wish I could help somehow -- it must suck. I'm going to sympathize with you here -- we shouldn't blame the victim for being this or that... No deserves anything because they were not careful enough. I hope you find the criminal.

Oh yeah, and guys come on... be serious here... the man was asking a serious question and asking for help because something serious has happened to him. This isn't the time to try to be funny. Don't be such kids.

Good thing you moved.

Come on, dudie... As I said don't be a kiddie. Don't be offended, give me a smile. Nothing personal.

Oh yeah... and arrogance will take you exactly nowhere.

Hi Guys,

It s brave to share your story with us.

I m sorry for your money but I hope at least you use codoms....

Wns, La Garconniere and Petit Palace, belongs to same owner, who is a good friend of mine, he will be very helpfull if you ask.

Now, if the girls know lot of people in the club as you mentionned, it will be very easy to find her, specially if you get back there the day after.

Yes! Tryky will help as usual :)

hi

thanks everybody for answer

I am not angry for those who say I was stupid and make fun out of it -I do admit I was stupid and also one day will laugh at this-but not yet...maybe next year:)

I never said Gevena is unsafe in terms of criminals...I assume its relatively safe and there is very little chance something bad happen to you...

but once you are unlucky then you may not get sufficient help- in these terms   I consider Geneva as unsafe and will share more details later...

For those who doubt if my story is real i dont understand why should I make it up? :)

Hi Peter. Man I'm sorry to hear what happened to you and even more sorry that I can't be of much help. I think you should have some more now to work with and just ignore the trolls here. It seems to be norm these says to blame the victim, whilst somebody else shouldn't steal in the first place!  I hope you can find the person who's done this and hope that justice will be done, however I'm not totally sure if ever. Take care, and seriously, Geneva is not unsafe, it's like any other citybut there has been enough of that already an am not going there again. 

My boyfriend and I suffered the same ordeal but worse, spiked at Petis palace Sunday night no memory until Mon morning both been attacked our flat smashed up and house keys missing- police are investigating and have hospital forensic evidence to prove attacks and both of us zero memory from same point really really traumatic and awful wouldn't wish upon anyone to happen to and hardest part is both severe memory loss, extent of our injuries and other personal things that I'd rather not publicly share right now. I sympathise and teach out to anyone who this has happened to also, Geneva normally very safe we were just very unlucky :-(

my my! 

The other day, I was walking to my office like every morning right by the entrance of Kempinsky, a trendy-looking russian teenage girl steping out of a blue Lamborgini gave me the wrong time! can you believe that? a blue Lamborgini? what a taste...

...I think I'll be carrying a concealed Toblerone from now on

Horrific that they would attack a "couple".... sorry for you and hope you get things sorted out.

Swiss.

"Russian in a blue Lamborgini"

Since when would this have  been a suprise? 

The fact that she bothered to answer your request for the "time" is the one that baffles me... they normally look straight through me....

I guess they look straight through you at seven in morning after a good pub crawl :-)

Not if I'm still going at that hoour and walk up to them wearing a gorilla suit and ask for their number... then they just run.. in my experience.

Bring on 12.12.12

Jesus

If you and your boyfriend were buying your own drinks and not mixing too much with others it would suggest the staff are involved in this. Hope the police are following that line with the management and mybe insisiting CCTV cameras are installed

Police have not been very helpful, civil police that attended the scene were good but detectives not so much- but the hospital and forensic patholigist have and we are pursuing with higher police authorities to follow cctv through town after we left since we both have blackout memory  not even memory of actually leaving-from same time- it's been extremely traumatic I just hope we get to the bottom of this - Have to say all hospital staff and legal doc who work for police been wonderful and caring, detective police themselves, not so much, but we are now getting help from higher up. Be careful there really are some nasty people out there... :-(

Quotes from Peter K:

Origin:  I went to Petit Palace club

Crime: where I met an African girl who stole almost 7000 Swiss francs from my hotel room

Memory: I dont even remember if we went to hotel by walk or by taxi, thats why i suppose she might have put drugs to my drink...that night i drunk only beers! and its first time i lost memory...

Help: places and institutions where I call for help were quite unhelpful despite evidence I had … … ... my main problem is not to prove it , surprisingly I do have some evidence she stole my money which may hopefully work but I cant write about it cuz in the case she ever read it all evidence gets ruined… … ... my problem is I do not know how to find her and as i wrote already i didnt get any help in Switzerland...

Quotes from Nathalie Campbell:

Origin: spiked at Petis palace Sunday night

Crime: both been attacked our flat smashed up and house keys missing

Memory: we both have blackout memory  not even memory of actually leaving … … ... both of us zero memory from same point really really traumatic and awful wouldn't wish upon anyone to happen to and hardest part is both severe memory loss,

Help: Police have not been very helpful, civil police that attended the scene were good but detectives not so much- but the hospital and forensic patholigist have and we are pursuing with higher police authorities to follow cctv through town after we left 

Hard not to believe you guys...

Thank you both for your useful posts

Hi

Much as i may sympathise with you, I must take umbrage as the following extract from your story.

: typical African appearance (quite dark skin,), nice face, age around 25, good English, quite tall, nice body (big breasts- not too skinny ,not too fat)…she sat in front of bar alone and she was the only black person in the club that night, the only thing I remember she told me about herself is that she comes from Senegal (its not significant info as she could make it up)

What the hell is 'typical African appearance'!!!!! Africa is a continent as someone rightly pointed out previously. Thus African women come in all shaps and colours. There is no such thing as a woman having a typical African appearance. It would be like saying that you Reka looked typically European duh! So Swedes, British, Italians all look alike. 

One should take umbrage when someone speaks too lightly...

Natalie,

Have you heard of LAVI?

Yes just searched and found this: http://www.centrelavi-ge.ch/sites/default/files/pdf/LAVI_Violence_en.pdf

thank you so much- I have woken up terrified and confused again after another sleepless night since the attack and still awaiting new contact in police to get in touch as no one seems to be helping our case very much apart from the hospital and medical staff-  and wake up to your message, thank you so much for directing me to someone that may help - it is reassuring to know good human beings still exist with empathy and compassion. I am very grateful. 

Natalie,

No thanks needed.

If the hospital and medical staff didn't give you recommendations to cope with your symtoms at home, ask LAVI for them (i.e. brochure for panic attacks, breathing tecniques, relaxation tecniques, courses for victims etc...). 

You could also ask their staff if they have treated cases like yours or that of Peter K. There could be others...

Take care.

Yes, this is it www.centrelavi-ge.ch

Since I was at university, I have been through information sessions about drugs in drinks.  They can be used against women or men.  At any university, responsible employer, etc, you get information sessions on these things.  The rules are simple: watch your drink, be suspicious if it tastes odd, in some places be suspicious of even barmen or waiters, etc.  And of course don't leave valuables in your room, use the safe.  For computers, use the computer safety cable to lock it to something fixed.

On the other hand, Geneva police is very efficient.  Maybe they are not very simpathetic to this kind of story, but if you find the right officer and insist on an investigation, I would be surprised if that did not happen.  Everyone knows her at that bar and the police won't do anything ?  Strange.  On the other hand, true, everyone knows there is a bunch of African guys selling drugs outside the Brasserie des halles des Iles, they have been there for years and nobody does anything, so I may well be proven wrong about my expectations of Geneva police...

Just remembering, once I was in Istanbul.  I was so unsmart to leave the hotel without its address, in a huge city, and it was a small hotel that nobody had heard of...  A young guy offered to help me, and then took me to a "club".  He was being over-nice and over-generous.  I immediately I sensed that something wrong was going to happen, since such generosity does not usually come for free.  So I pretended to go to the toilet and left...  If I hadn't realized, I may well have been drugged and faced an ordeal.

People should beware.  And if you know you are planning to go to clubs, maybe find a "nice girl" or whatever, then make sure your belongings are safe and you have little to lose if the worst does happen.

Everyone knows her at that bar and the police won't do anything ?  Strange.  

Maurizio G -> I am sure Peter and Natalie would be very grateful if you let them know who she (the "African" girl) is. That information could be useful to the police. 

This "victims" ordeal does not add up at all. Im reading his post again and again and its clear that its due to his carelessness that he lost his money in a different way, but he is focussing on one thing (the girl) and puts the blame on her.

Furthermore, the guy seems to remember a lot.....also, he met this "girl" at 1am which Im sure he had had a few drinks before that.

So this guy most likely splurged on a drinking spree,maybe even splurged on the girl (but since he doesn't remember......) or got robbed by the hotel staff (which happens a lot) And how come the surveillance cameras didn't help? was he even in a hotel?

And information from someone who claims to not remember much, isn't credible at all because its just as good as wrong information.