Brottsutredarna — SR-restored · Sveriges Radio

”Ciggmannen” groomade Tess och Emelie – så avslöjades han

·25 min·2 clips

A man called the 'Zig man' contacts 12-year-old Tess, asking her to smoke on video chat.

The episode opens by introducing 'Ciggmannen' or 'Zig man,' a predator contacting young girls online. It follows the case of Tess, who at age 12 in 2018 received Instagram messages from a profile named 'Jesper' asking her to smoke on video chat. The contact escalates, with the man making sexual demands and Tess hearing him moan during calls. She discovers her friend Emelie is also targeted, and they realize the man is contacting multiple girls in their friend group. The man uses various fake profiles like Conny and Stefan, writing in a distinctive style with misspellings. He gains personal information about the girls, increasing their fear. A key moment occurs when Tess is at a bus station and the man messages 'I see you,' describing her clothing, proving he is physically nearby. Tess reports to police but initially withholds details out of shame, leading to the case being closed. The man uses cash to buy phone cards to avoid detection. Police work involves tracing one such card to an ICA shop, where surveillance footage shows a middle-aged man in work clothes buying it. This breakthrough helps identify the suspect. The man, in his 50s, is arrested in 2021 and found with a phone hidden under his mattress and a cover matching a screenshot from a victim. He is suspected of crimes against eight girls aged 11-17, involving pressuring them to pose naked or smoke for him. The trial occurs in Skaraborgs court in autumn 2023, where Tess testifies. The man denies the charges but is sentenced to two years and three months in prison. Former criminal commissioner Sven Albin provides commentary on grooming patterns and investigative challenges, such as linking cash transactions and forensic details. The episode concludes with Tess and Emelie, now 20, discussing their trauma and relief at the outcome. Host Pernilla Waderbäck guides the narrative, blending victim interviews with expert analysis.

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