Police were able to trace the identity of the young woman involved as well as the identities of three other suspects as the investigation progressed.
Israel Police uncovered a “catfishing” gang in Ashkelon where men would be lured via social media into sexual encounters with a young woman, during which the suspects threatened and robbed them, and would purchase items in their name. On Wednesday, police arrested all four suspects – three men and the young woman – who were involved.
The Ashkelon police have been investigating the incident after receiving a number of complaints from men, where they noticed a similar pattern where some men received sexual messages from a young woman on social media and were invited to her home in Ashkelon.
Upon their arrival, the men were attacked by a number of suspects who threatened them and stole their mobile devices, identity information and credit cards. Items worth tens of thousands of shekels were bought in the victims’ names, which include mobile devices and even a car.