A Canadian content creator living in Brazil says he was drugged, robbed, and possibly sexually assaulted after accepting a drink from strangers at a bar in Rio de Janeiro.
In an Instagram video posted on Oct. 31, Cameron Golinsky, 35, said the incident occurred on Oct. 26 and involved two men he met while out in the city.
“They convinced me to bring them back to my home, and once there, they knocked me out. They robbed me,” Golinsky said. “I woke up naked two days later, and there are signs I was raped.”
He explained that he had already filed police reports, undergone medical testing, and provided authorities with access to CCTV footage. “At this moment, I’m negative for all sexually transmitted diseases,” he added.
According to details reported by Brazilian outlets G1 and O Globo, Golinsky said he accepted a drink from the two men who approached him at a bar in Ipanema. He later brought them to his residence in Copacabana, where he lost consciousness. When he awoke, his phone was gone, and approximately $3,000 had been stolen.
The case was registered with the 12th Police Precinct in Copacabana on Oct. 28 and classified as a “robbery with impaired consciousness due to the use of a psychoactive substance,” per O Globo.
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Local media described it as a “Goodnight, Cinderella” crime — a term used in Brazil for attacks involving drugging victims to commit theft.
Authorities say they have identified at least one suspect, who is already wanted in connection with a similar case. However, the individual has not yet been located.
“We are trying to find him to execute this arrest warrant,” Detective Ângelo Lages, head of the 12th Police Station, told O Globo.
Golinsky also reported that he had been locked out of his email and was unable to access his banking information in the days after the attack. He shared that he would be traveling to Los Angeles to regain access to his financial accounts and evaluate the damage. He planned to return to Vancouver afterward to focus on recovery and spend time with family.
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“My safety and security are my top priorities right now,” he wrote in a message to supporters. “I will share more updates when I can. Thank you for your support during this difficult time.”
In a video posted on Nov. 2, his 35th birthday, Golinsky reflected on the experience and expressed gratitude for the support he received. “This last week has been a rollercoaster I would not wish on anyone,” he said, noting that he never felt alone throughout the ordeal. “I’m grateful to be alive. I’m grateful for each one of you.”
