Bnei Brak 'Woman Hunter' Sentenced to 18 Months for Sexual Crimes Against Minors

Kobi Cohen from Bnei Brak was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being convicted of sexual offenses against minors and young women. Cohen lured victims through false advertisements for cleaning jobs in a Haredi newspaper, a scheme uncovered in a 2021 investigative report by Adva Dadon on Channel 12's "The Scammers." The assaults took place in Cohen's apartment in Bnei Brak, where victims, mostly young women and girls from the religious and Haredi communities, were subjected to sexual harassment and indecent acts.

The case had previously been closed due to lack of evidence, but following the investigative report and new complaints supported by hidden camera footage, the police and prosecution reopened the investigation. Cohen was convicted of multiple counts of indecent acts, including offenses against a girl under 16. Tel Aviv District Court Judge Sarit Zamir imposed the prison sentence and ordered Cohen to pay 25,000 shekels in compensation to two complainants.

Cohen has appealed the sentence, and the legal process is ongoing. The investigation revealed a consistent and sophisticated modus operandi, with Cohen promising high cash wages to attract victims. The report also encouraged additional victims to come forward, shedding light on the extent of Cohen's abuses over several years.