Urgent News: A new police trick against LGBTQ+ community

Azerbaijani police are employing new deceptive tactics to determine the exact addresses of LGBTQI+s by using phone numbers obtained through various means. Community members have reported this to Minority Azerbaijan.

According to reports, police officers call queer individuals, posing as representatives of companies such as Umico or other firms, and falsely claim: "A package has arrived for you," or "You have won a gift or a free product."

They then ask for the recipient’s address under the pretext of delivering the package. Once they obtain the address, police arrive at the location, take the individuals to a police station, and demand large bribes.

Additionally, police continue to use direct phone calls to summon people to police stations, as well as setting up meetings through Instagram under the pretense of dating.

These targeted fraud tactics against the LGBTQI+ community represent a severe violation of human rights.

Individuals who spoke to Minority Azerbaijan stated that at least 15 people have been affected by these deceptive calls, including some who are not queer. Some victims, realizing the scam, immediately destroyed their SIM cards after receiving such calls.

Safety Recommendations:

1. Be cautious of incoming calls:

• Be vigilant when answering calls from unknown numbers.

• If someone claims you have "won a gift" or that "a package is waiting for you," verify the company's official number and details.

2.  Do not share your address:

• Never provide your home or work address to police or strangers, even under pressure.

• If you receive a call regarding a package or a gift, insist on picking it up yourself from an official office.

3. Legal protection:

• If police contact you, try to obtain the caller’s full name, rank, and department.

• Never go to a police station without a lawyer.

4. Be cautious on social media:

• Do not share personal information with strangers.

• Before meeting new acquaintances, research them to avoid potential traps.

5. Document incidents:

• If you experience such an incident, collect as much evidence as possible, including the time of the call, the phone number, and the conversation details.

Previously, the LGBTQI+ community reported that police were using dating apps to entrap queer individuals. The increasing number of such cases is deeply concerning and puts the safety of LGBTQI+s at even greater risk.

For the past 10 years, Azerbaijan has ranked last among 49 countries in ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Index for LGBTQI+ rights protection. The country continues to witness regular violence and murders targeting the community, with the government failing to take any measures to prevent such crimes.

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