Sure, Wan Chai is a well-known watering hole locals and expatriates look forward to going to towards the end of a stressful week. But disregarding common sense and letting your guard down is a recipe for an even more stressful, if not embarrassing, weekend.
Police have been warning party-goers in Wan Chai (and presumably other) nightspots about drinks laced with drugs after a 44-year old Chinese woman was nabbed after she allegedly took the ATM card of a 22-year old male victim and withdrawn close to his HK$30,000 daily limit. While the victim was with the woman when the withdrawal was made, he was apparently unaware he is being robbed, police said. Suspect has been charged with theft and will appear in Eastern Court late June.
The arrest was made in March and is part of a long-running police investigation on men losing hold of their cards and properties after taking the so-called date-rape drugs spiked on drinks. I thought drunk men only fall prey to unscrupulous taxi drivers who overcharge them on their way home, but there is an even bigger crime committed long before they hail the cab. In some cases, victims die on their hotel rooms after apparently being drugged and robbed of valuables.
This may not be the first case of robbery on dazed victims. Others may be too embarrassed to report their losses to the police and who could only vow to be more careful in their next escapades in bars. Because of this sticky situation, reported cases are lower than actual numbers.
The police offers words of wisdom for revellers.
1. Never leave drinks unattended.
2. Do not accept drinks from strangers.
3. Be wary of drinks that are already served out of a sealed bottle.
4. It is better to be with friends than be on your own.
5. Accepting invitations from new acquaintances to visit hotel rooms and residences should be considered a high-risk activity.
Don’t be the next victim.
