This is how the perpetrators lure the young people with vapes

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This is how the perpetrators lure the young people with
Police: Explosive crime

Updated 21.05 | Published 09.56

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  • Aftonbladet’s investigation shows that vapes have been used as lures by sex offenders in a large number of cases where minors have been abused in Sweden.
  • In 21 convictions between 2023 and 2024, Snapchat was used as the primary platform to contact and groom minors, using vapes as bait.
  • The police state that crimes are increasing but warn of a large number of dark figures due to shame, guilt and threats directed at the victims.

    • ⓘ The summary is made with the support of AI tools from OpenAI and quality assured by Aftonbladet. Read our AI policy here.

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    They use vapes as lures to prey on minors.

    The men then wait for their victims on Snapchat.

    Aftonbladet has reviewed the vape rapes.

    This is how criminals attract young people with vapes

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    Vaping among young people has increased explosively in recent years.

    Aftonbladet’s mapping shows how the vape wave is used by sex offenders all over the country.

    In 21 convictions in Swedish district and appellate courts during 2023 and 2024, vapes, or e-cigarettes, have played a central role in the scheme.

    In most cases, the men have victimized several victims. In total, there are 108 plaintiffs.

    A pattern is common:

    A minor wants a vape but, due to the 18-year-old age limit, cannot buy in a store.

    Therefore, they are looking, mainly on Snapchat, for someone who can arrange it.
    Aftonbladet’s mapping shows how Snapchat was used in 18 of the 21 cases as a platform for the first contact and where the grooming took place.

    This was the case, for example, with “Alice”, 14, which Aftonbladet told about.

    Reporting themselves

    In some of the cases, the perpetrators have had explicit langing accounts on the social platform.

    – They want to have contact with children and are where the children are. In the past, you might have spun around a school. But today it is so readily available and unlimited. That’s why this crime is explosive, says Mikael Ahrtzing, group leader at the police’s department for Internet-related sexual abuse of children in the North region.

    For Ahrtzing and his colleagues, vapes are one of a number of lures used by criminals. Other attractive agents are white snus, alcohol and energy drinks.

    FACT Vaping among young people

    In 2022, a record number of young people started vaping. Compared to previous years, this was a multiple doubling of young users. The levels have now decreased somewhat but are still high.

    According to the latest national school survey from CAN 2024, 16 percent of ninth graders had vaped in the past month. For high school students, the figure was 20 percent.

    Source: CAN (Central Association for Alcohol and Narcotics Information).

    Read more

    Regarding chat platforms such as Snapchat, Ahrtzing states that there is good cooperation. They usually give out information that the police request and are themselves active in reporting suspected crime.

    But there is one thing he thinks should change.

    – It is clear that there should be a clearer age limit. Children should not be able to access these services and be at risk of being abused. The issue is not uncomplicated, but we must protect our children and young people.

    In the hunt for the perpetrators, he and his colleagues end up with perpetrators from all walks of life.

    FAKTAAftonbladet’s review: The crimes in the wake of the vaping

    arrow In a series of articles, Aftonbladet examines gang criminal structures and sexual abuse in the light of increasing vaping among young people.

    arrow Vejpvågen is used by sex offenders all over the country. In 21 convictions in Swedish district and appellate courts in 2023 and 2024 regarding sexual abuse, vapers have played a central role in the perpetrator’s scheme.

    arrow In most cases, the men have victimized several victims. In total, there are 108 plaintiffs.

    arrowIt is common for the perpetrators to offer vape in exchange for sexual acts. In 18 out of 21 cases, the first contact took place on Snapchat.

    arrow Several of the cases concern rape and aggravated rape against children.

    Read more Shame, guilt and threats

    Aftonbladet’s review shows that several of the perpetrators have previously gone unpunished and are judged to have had apparently well-ordered lives with steady work, housing – and in some cases their own families.

    While the survey shows that many cases come to the attention of the police, Ahrtzing states that there is a large number of cases that are not covered.

    It can be linked to feelings of shame and guilt on the part of the children. For various reasons, one does not dare to tell an adult.

    It can also be threats from the perpetrators.

    “Must be very aware”

    – They may have sent a nude picture and then be forced to perform sexual acts, otherwise the perpetrator will tell their parents. It is so important to make it clear that it is never the child’s fault. You must never accuse or blame the child for anything. Whatever happened.

    Ahrtzing’s personal opinion is that parents should be restrictive when it comes to smart phones for children.

    It is important to think about the dangers online – and talk about them with your children.

    – I think most people are doing the best they can, but we have to be even better at protecting the children. But ultimately it’s the groomers fault.

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