'I was spiked by killer Devil's Breath drug on Tube but TikTok helped me escape'

A woman who believes she was spiked with the 'Devil's Breath' drug while on the London Underground was narrowly saved by her own quick thinking.

Deborah Oscar,30, was on the Elizabeth Line leaving Abbey Wood when a woman "wafted" a newspaper in her face. The easily ignored gesture left Deborah feeling "high" and "sleepy" before the stranger suspiciously took a seat next to her in an empty carriage.

Struggling to stay conscious, Deborah recalled a TikTok video she had watched about 'Devil's Breath' - a substance known as scopolamine that's blown onto victims to change them into obedient "zombies" before they're terrifyingly robbed or murdered, reports SWNS.

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While Deborah didn't smell anything unusual, she went with her gut and moved carriages before making a swift but stumbling exit from the tube. She also said that two men on the tube, who appeared to know each other, were watching as she fled to safety.

Deborah is adamant she was spiked with the drug on that frightful day. The content creator from southeast London recalled: "This train was fairly empty, and this woman was walking slowly wafting this newspaper staring at me.

"I assumed she was a confused tourist about to ask for directions. But she just maintained eye contact. It felt eerie and very odd but she was quite well dressed, so I didn't feel scared really, she just looked like a tourist.

"Then she came and sat down next to me and I felt like I needed a deep sleep, I suddenly felt very peaceful. Like the first few seconds when you have anaesthesia before a surgery.

"I thought I had low blood sugar, maybe I was about to faint - that's when I remembered videos I had seen about the 'Devil's Breath' drug. She walked away eventually but kept staring at me the whole time."

The 30-year-old added: "I decided its better to be paranoid and safe than risk it. I got off at the next stop and these two men looked straight at each other - I knew they knew each other.

"The doors closed behind me and I got away - once I stepped into the fresh air outside, the feeling began to subside too. If I hadn't seen those videos, I would probably have just sat there and I don't know what would have happened.

"I had my Yves Saint Laurent bag on me, maybe they thought I was wealthy. But I was wearing a dress from Primark too."

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The mind-altering substance, scopolamine, was once trialled by the CIA as a truth serum. The symptoms of this chemical are severe amnesia, memory loss, and disorientation, leaving victims susceptible and compliant.

The drug has tragically been linked to the deaths of Brits, including Irish dancer Adrian Murphy, who died in 2019 after he was administered 'Devil's Breath'. In April this year, London-based scientist Alessandro Coatti, 38, was found dead while on holiday in Santa Marta and is thought to have been targeted by the deadly drug.

Deborah shared her experience on TikTok and was contacted by 20 people who claimed they encountered a similar experience in the UK. In addition, Deborah received hundreds of messages from people alleging they had also been targeted by the same drug while abroad.

She said: "London would be the perfect place for it, there are so many people and an already very busy police force. But if people are aware this might be a new method, they can have it in their minds and be more prepared."

"The majority of people I have told had no idea such a thing could happen - it's never been mainstream here," Deborah continued. "I was skeptical at first - until I experienced it first hand. I feel like it emboldens criminals because it's so easy to get away with if someone gives their own valuables away.

"And I can imagine you'd feel embarrassment or shame not being able to explain why it happened. Or maybe you'd feel foolish for falling asleep. But the more people that know, the more people that might be able to help. Or they might be able to help someone else who is being targeted."

In an urgent warning to others, she declared: "I would say, stay alert and vigilant. Nobody wants to be rude or appear paranoid, but it's better to recognise the situation and to flee and be safe, than to take a risk. It's best to be wary, and to trust your gut."

The drug, 'Devil's Breath', has also been known to be used by organised crime groups to kidnap and rob Brits in South America. At one point, an estimated 50,000 attacks took place in a year from using the substance, with additional reports of street robberies in Paris.

The US's Overseas Security Advisory Council has issued a warning to travellers heading to South America about the risks of the drug, which can be administered through drinks, chewing gum, cigarettes or paper and card. This can lead people to being robbed, kidnapped or even murdered.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of the video circulating and last week reached out to the woman concerned asking her to report the incident to us as soon as possible, however currently no report has been received.

"Reports of 'spiking' on the transport network are thankfully very rare. Where reports are received, they are taken incredibly seriously and thoroughly investigated.

Anyone who is the victim or witness to a crime on the transport network should text it immediately to us via 61016. In an emergency, always call 999."

Have you been spiked while out and about in the UK? To share your story, email features@reachplc.com.