Am I right to be suspicious!? Something not right going on

[coffeewithmilk]

I'm renting an apartment with my husband. Our sitting room window overlooks a tanning salon which is also an Internet cafe.
I have become almost obsessed with seeing who is going in and out - I feel something dodgey is going on in there! Constant older men with flashy cars parking outside, young lads in tracksuits going in and out - none of them coming out more tanned than when they went in.
It has been nice over lockdown because there hasn't been anyone around - but now it's open again and it is manic busy

Surely that many people aren't using tanning beds?!

I also noticed that after closing in the evenings, they sometimes leave some of their tanning beds running (I can see the lights through the window)

If it is the dealings of something not right, like drugs or sex work - should I tell someone about it?

My husband thinks I'm over reacting and thinks I should just turn a blind eye as we are only renting and won't be here for too much longer

What would you do?

Tanning salons are notorious for money laundering, human trafficking, drugs etc. As are nail salons. Some people on this thread are very naive. A quick Google would give you loads of information on what the majority of these places are used for.

And also... Internet cafe?! Do they still exist?!

Seriously? They might not be as prevalent these days, but of course you can still find them in urban and touristy areas.

Call the police ~and make sure you're watching when they raid the place so you can tell us all about it~

Can’t you just go in and pretend you want to tan?

These sorts of businesses are prime for money laundering, doesn't mean that loads of tanning salons and similar are fronting companies for that sort of activity, but it is a front that is often used.

Just go in for and buy a few minutes on the sunbed or use the computer? Then you'll see if the men go out the back/upstairs/downstairs or if they're buying 11minutes and leaving back goggles after? Easy peasy

Are you in the U.K. OP because Tanning Salons aren’t open yet along with beauty salons

I haven’t seen an Internet cafe in donkeys ages.

Lights on? will be a cannabis farm

When I was a student I reported a man who seemed to be acting dodgy hanging about around the house opposite for hours. I thought he might be looking to break in although by the time the patrol car came round to have a word that seemed unlikely as he'd been there about 4 hours. A few months later the police approached us to host undercover surveillance from our house as we had a great view of the house opposite. They were on the radar for drug dealing I believe.
My point is if the police do have them on the radar or have suspicions they would welcome your info / may be able to take advantage of your good view!

@Blackbear19

You know the biggest thing that would make me suspicious the Internet Cafe.

Every single one I ever used or knew of has closed, smart phones, and mobile data plans killed them off as a thing of the past.

Exactly. Does anyone at all use an Internet cafe these days?

Have you tried googling the name of the salon?
There are websites that review knocking shops, you might find a review.
Are brothels usually so hidden though? Until recently we had a few in our town. Everyone knew what they were and one was only just off the high street!

'Mind your own business'
Nice. Don't do this! If you genuinely think there is something dodgy such as trafficking then DO call the police. It's a no brainer for me.
I cant stand this look the other way mentality. I'm not sure many people realise how common it is, how there are women held against their will in most cities and towns.
If it's only guys and it feels off I might be suspicious too.

@YetAnotherSpartacus it’s “donkeys years (ears)” not donkeys ages. Donkeys ears are very long.
Ahem...as you were...

"Does anyone at all use an Internet cafe these days?"

Yes, me. I use it to print things as I don't have a printer. I also used it when I first moved in and there were delays in getting internet. I use them quite often on holiday when I haven't brought my laptop with me or the accommodation doesn't have good wifi or I need to print e.g. to get my boarding card for the return journey.
Whenever I go to my internet cafe there are people there using the internet in quite a normal way. There does also seem to be people just hanging around with the staff, but not in a suspicious way.

Yes, I would report. It may well be that the internet cafe/computers are being used for dodgy communication/setting up deals etc. Trust your instinct. However, before you make that call, please book your husband in for a tan and internet use, so that he can spy on your behalf and the report back to us!

But what exactly would the OP report? ‘It looks a bit dodgy to me’. Hardly evidence, is it?

I never thought of dodgy people using internet cafe to access dodgy sites. Surely any responsible IC owner would have firewalls to prevent dodgy stuff dark net etc.

But you don't have to report 'evidence' - you simply report your observations and suspicions: it's up to them whether to act. May be the first they've heard; may be they've had their eye on the place for ages. But they don't need anything approaching 'reasonable suspicion' to go down and have a shufti - they're the police. It's certainly true that nail bars, tanning salons, fast food restaurants are well-known for being fronts for all sorts of illegal activity and if you haven't heard that, then you're not watching enough tv. Like the news. Or 'Panorama'.

Also - being able to secure the goods or services it holds itself out as offering, isn't evidence that something else dodgy isn't also going on. I imagine they've thought of that. This isn't 'Bugsy Malone'.

Is it only men going in if so bit odd. I would be tempted to go ask to see facilities say your interested in booking some minutes for the sunbeds but would like to see which ones they use. Then if it is legit or not you should have a better idea.

If you're moving soon, I'd wait till you go then report it to local police. Then you'll have to also check the local paper for the next six months..

Placemarking! This is a bit like Line of Duty

@Blackbear19

I never thought of dodgy people using internet cafe to access dodgy sites. Surely any responsible IC owner would have firewalls to prevent dodgy stuff dark net etc.

Jesus. Some of you really are naive. The internet cafe owners in a case like this would be in on the scam / crime. They’re usually paid to be the frontmen for the operation.

We had a really good takeaway busted for Money laundering sigh. such a loss... apparently shake shops are the new fronts for money laundering and we now have one!