The cross-city trip with no way back
A man arranged a cross-city trip for a woman he had met online. The ticket and apartment were paid for, but her ID was kept “for safekeeping”.
Case summary
He bought the ticket and booked an apartment, saying she did not need to worry about anything. When she arrived, he took her ID and bank cards “for safekeeping”.
He controlled the keys, the schedule and her contact with friends. When she asked to leave, he said the apartment was in his name and she owed him for the trip.
Timeline
- Week 1: met online; he offered to arrange a trip.
- Week 2: she arrived; he took her ID and bank cards.
- Week 3: he controlled the keys and her schedule.
- Week 4: she asked a friend for help and left.
The turning point
She told a friend the address and asked her to call at a set time. The friend arrived with another person, and they waited while she packed.
She reported the withheld documents to the police and replaced her cards.
What to remember
Book your own accommodation and keep your ID, bank cards and return ticket. A trip paid for by someone else is not a reason to surrender control.
Tell a friend the address and a check-in time. If your documents are withheld, treat it as a safety issue, not a relationship dispute.
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