Two Australian sisters have shared a cautionary tale about a near-abduction experience they faced six years ago at Naples Airport in Italy. Steph and Holly Davey, hosts of the Girls Next Door podcast, described how a man who offered them a ride in what he claimed was a taxi nearly led them and three friends to an unmarked black van waiting in an underground area.
According to their account, after arriving at the airport, the group noticed two men watching them. Shortly after, a well-dressed man with neck tattoos approached, speaking fluent English and offering taxi services. "Girls, girls, girls, are you looking for a taxi? Come with me. I'm a taxi," he reportedly said.
Suspicion arose when the man began counting the women to see if they would fit in his vehicle. As they followed him, they realized he was not heading toward the official taxi rank. "Instead, he led them in the direction of an underground area where an unmarked black van was waiting," the report stated. When one sister questioned the lack of a taxi sign, the man insisted the van was legitimate and urged them to continue.
Legitimate taxi drivers intervened, shouting warnings to the group. "No, don't go, bad man, bad man, not taxi driver," one driver is quoted as saying. The man reportedly fled as police began to arrive. The sisters noted that they had already shared their Airbnb address with the man, adding to their fear.
Later that day, the group heard banging on their accommodation door. Upon opening it after about 90 minutes, they found a large potted plant left outside. They were unable to determine if this was connected to the airport incident.
The sisters revisited their experience after hearing similar frightening accounts from other female travelers. One listener shared an experience in San Francisco involving a car crash and a police shootout, while another recounted being chased by a car in Milan. A third woman reported being repeatedly approached by a stranger in Marseille.
While the intentions of the individuals in these incidents are not always clear, the Davey sisters emphasized the importance of staying aware of one's surroundings, protecting personal information, and traveling with friends when possible. They stressed that their message is not to discourage travel but to encourage vigilance among women traveling abroad.