Anyone travelling on Swiss trains to or from Geneva should be aware that there appears to be a major problem with (apparently) organised criminals operating on these lines.
At least two J2Ski Forum regulars have been victims themselves :-
- One of our members had a bag, with passports etc. stolen on a train to GVA airport.
- Another of our regulars was assaulted, possibly as part of a "distraction", earlier this winter.
We have also heard a number of indirect experiences and this morning I've received the following from one of our Snow Mail subscribers :-
Bill wrote:Perhaps you should warn people travelling to ski on Swiss trains, particularly from Geneva, that their luggage is at severe risk. We had heard 5-6 years ago that thieves were working the line from Geneva eastwards. Now we know it has started again! A friend found distraction outside the train at Montreux station and then realised that her handbag was about to be taken (10 days ago) and I was on the train from Geneva last Tuesday and by Vevey my overnight case had been stolen from above my head by the time the train had reached Vevey. The train conductor said 'it happens all the time' and they 'are very skilled'.
This is clearly an ongoing problem that, for whatever reason, has not been addressed with the efficiency we expect from our Swiss friends.
Anyone else with similar experiences? :evil: