We want to warn you about a specific threat which we have just become aware of.
A person claiming to be a 23 year old lawyer from Lithuania and living in Norway has been reported to police in Austria for stealing money from a host in Vienna while at his home alone. He had claimed in last minute hosting groups and accommodation requests to hosts using the name "Karlivas" that he had been robbed and urgently needed a place to stay until he could take his flight. The same story he had also used in the UK (Newcastle, London) and Spain (Mallorca). After his profile was banned by BeWelcome, he reappeared in Milan with a similar profile and story using the name "Karolis24". He allegedly also uses Couchsurfing.com.
He has used these photos on his profiles:
He is described as about 1.90m tall with short, blond hair and usually well dressed. He may change his appearance or his story. If you receive a message from someone you believe is this person or if you have any information, please share it immediately with the BeWelcome Safety Team at safety@bewelcome.org or through one of the "contact us" links on the website, selecting "report safety issue" (https://www.bewelcome.org/feedback?IdCategory=2). If you are with this person, please make sure first that you and your belongings are safe.
In the 10-year history of BeWelcome this is the first time that a crime has been reported and that we need to warn members of a specific threat, beyond the advice we always give members and which are outlined on https://www.bewelcome.org/safety. Based on the past ten years BeWelcome is very safe to use, especially if you apply good judgement and instincts when interacting with people you meet for the first time, and when we all help others make informed decisions by reporting problems we become aware of.
Here are some of the things you can do to protect yourself in general:
- Read the requests you receive and the profiles carefully. Look out for clear pictures of the person requesting your hospitality and at arrival make sure they correspond.
- Communicate through the BeWelcome messaging system whenever possible.
- Apply the same if not extra caution to last minute requests claiming emergencies. Don't rush your decision. If it doesn't feel right, don't accept.
- If you are already hosting someone about whom you have doubts or when you have concerns for your safety or your belonging, it is generally best to ask the guest to leave. You are never obliged to let anyone stay in your home, even after accepting. If you cannot or do not want to make an unwanted guest leave, you can ask to see identification, as a precaution or at least to know who exactly you are dealing with. Get help from friends or from police if necessary.
- Don't tempt guests with unattended valuables. Only leave people alone in your home or give keys to them when you believe you can trust them.
We wish you many safe and enjoyable interactions with fellow members. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.
The volunteers of your BeWelcome Safety Team
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