An Australian traveller celebrating her 29th birthday in Paris experienced a terrifying escape after believing she was targeted near the Eiffel Tower and subsequently followed across the city by a group of men, according to an interview on A Current Affair.
Djanaya, who had travelled alone before to mark birthdays in new destinations, chose the French capital for her 29th trip. As the sun set near the Eiffel Tower, a man approached her, struck up a conversation, asked if she was traveling alone, and invited her to a party. Djanaya declined the invitation but handed over her Instagram handle and took a photo with him. Shortly after, she observed him hand money to a street seller without purchasing anything and point directly in her direction. She recounted that her heart sank at that moment and began moving through nearby restaurants to ensure no one was following her.
When she boarded a train, the man reappeared alongside his friend, five other men, and two women. His friend approached her and pointed her out, prompting Djanaya to place a FaceTime call to her friend Shon in Australia. Shon told A Current Affair that she could witness the sheer panic on Djanaya’s face and urged her to exit at a busy station. Djanaya got off, but the group exited the train as well. A frantic pursuit followed as she jumped on and off trains while staying on the phone with Shon, spotting one of the men locking eyes with her and gesturing at stops.
Help arrived when an off-duty security guard on the train spoke to her in Spanish. With Shon translating over the phone, they realized he was trying to assist. The guard removed his heavy puffer jacket, wrapped it around Djanaya, and pulled her under his arm, warning her to stay close because the group would grab her. He stayed with her until she secured an Uber and returned to her accommodation safely.
Did You Know? Djanaya shared her story a year after the incident to warn other solo travellers, noting that she still travels alone but now maintains a sharper sense of risk.
Context and Human Trafficking Tactics in Major Cities
The harrowing ordeal highlights the hidden dangers faced by independent travellers in major international destinations. According to former UK detective Anthony Dunkerley, who spoke to A Current Affair, the targeted approach described by Djanaya matches a known grooming tactic utilized by human traffickers. Mr Dunkerley explained that perpetrators frequently employ the “lover boy” method, where someone who appears visually appealing and charming approaches a victim as part of an initial grooming strategy.
Expert Insight: Incidents of targeted stalking and grooming in tourist hubs often rely on quick rapport-building and coordinated tracking in transit networks. Travellers facing sudden surveillance or coordinated pursuit in unfamiliar cities face critical safety windows, making immediate communication with external contacts and transit security vital for de-escalating dangerous encounters.
The situation underscores the vulnerabilities inherent in solo tourism, even in heavily visited landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. While Djanaya managed to escape physical harm with the help of an off-duty security guard and her friend on the phone, the encounter emphasizes how quickly a celebratory vacation can pivot into a high-risk security situation. Authorities and security professionals continually advise travellers to remain vigilant of surroundings, limit sharing personal details with strangers, and seek immediate help in crowded public venues if pursued.
What May Happen Next for Solo Travel Safety Awareness
Travellers may increasingly utilize real-time video communication and digital check-ins with contacts back home as standard precautionary measures when navigating unfamiliar transit systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Djanaya travel to Paris?
She chose Paris to celebrate her 29th birthday, hoping to experience the city of love as part of her tradition of marking birthdays in new destinations.
Who helped Djanaya escape the group?
An off-duty security guard on the train intervened by wrapping her in his puffer jacket, pulling her close, and staying with her until she entered an Uber.
What did experts say about the incident?
Former UK detective Anthony Dunkerley stated that the approach matched a known grooming tactic used by traffickers, specifically the “lover boy” method.
Do you take extra safety precautions when travelling alone to unfamiliar international destinations?