Road Bandits east of Chita , Siberia
 

Anyone travelling east from Chita towards Vlad watch out for the blokes flagging you down to take all your gear. We had it twice in 2 days. One, the blike sitting apparantly unconcious with a hat and sunspecs on. Mate on mobile flagging you down for help. The rest are in the woods. An older repectable looking flagging us down whilst on mobile for some help. Other cars aroound stopped and occupied, very remote. Wave to them that you are pulling in and drive on! take care..no cops in this area.

Any fresh info?
 

Has anyone got any updates on the issue? Is it still happening since 2009?

Are these people armed?

From your own experience, are they likely to shoot if we don't stop?

Any info very welcomed. Thanks!

I (and many others) have travelled have travelled this route over last summer - with out issue.

There was one foreign motorcycle rider (Japanese) murdered this year, but the perpetrators were caught.

Thanks
 

Thanks for that. I found the following information if anyone is interested:

“According to the initial version of the investigation, a resident of Japan traveling through Russia stopped for the night near the highway and set up a tent. Here an unknown person stabbed the victim more than 30 times and disappeared,” a spokesman from the local investigation department, Yegor Markov, said.
His body was found near the Chita-Irkutsk Highway. A criminal case was opened under the charge of murder which stipulates up to 15 years in prison.
An investigative team conducted an inspection at the scene. Investigators seized a Suzuki motorcycle, tent, clothes, cell phone, money and other personal items, none of which was taken by the offender."

A discussion from last May: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ood-news-64424