diff --git a/python/src/deltachat/account.py b/python/src/deltachat/account.py
index c93497d70..22ad3eed9 100644
--- a/python/src/deltachat/account.py
+++ b/python/src/deltachat/account.py
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ class Account(object):
         :returns: a :class:`deltachat.chatting.Chat` object.
         """
         bytes_name = name.encode("utf8")
-        chat_id = lib.dc_create_group_chat(self._dc_context, verified, bytes_name)
+        chat_id = lib.dc_create_group_chat(self._dc_context, int(verified), bytes_name)
         return Chat(self, chat_id)
 
     def get_chats(self):
@@ -378,6 +378,15 @@ class Account(object):
             raise ValueError("could not join group")
         return Chat(self, chat_id)
 
+    #
+    # meta API for start/stop and event based processing
+    #
+
+    def wait_next_incoming_message(self):
+        """ wait for and return next incoming message. """
+        ev = self._evlogger.get_matching("DC_EVENT_INCOMING_MSG")
+        return self.get_message_by_id(ev[2])
+
     def start_threads(self):
         """ start IMAP/SMTP threads (and configure account if it hasn't happened).
 
diff --git a/python/src/deltachat/chatting.py b/python/src/deltachat/chatting.py
index 56e095194..2a5de9b12 100644
--- a/python/src/deltachat/chatting.py
+++ b/python/src/deltachat/chatting.py
@@ -109,6 +109,13 @@ class Chat(object):
         """
         return not lib.dc_chat_is_unpromoted(self._dc_chat)
 
+    def is_verified(self):
+        """ return True if this chat is a verified group.
+
+        :returns: True if chat is verified, False otherwise.
+        """
+        return lib.dc_chat_is_verified(self._dc_chat)
+
     def get_name(self):
         """ return name of this chat.
 
diff --git a/python/src/deltachat/message.py b/python/src/deltachat/message.py
index bfd5a95b1..735883763 100644
--- a/python/src/deltachat/message.py
+++ b/python/src/deltachat/message.py
@@ -101,6 +101,10 @@ class Message(object):
         """ return True if this message is a setup message. """
         return lib.dc_msg_is_setupmessage(self._dc_msg)
 
+    def is_encrypted(self):
+        """ return True if this message was encrypted. """
+        return bool(lib.dc_msg_get_showpadlock(self._dc_msg))
+
     def get_message_info(self):
         """ Return informational text for a single message.
 
diff --git a/python/tests/test_account.py b/python/tests/test_account.py
index ff7704c25..e1d2a4f71 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_account.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_account.py
@@ -443,6 +443,7 @@ class TestOnlineAccount:
 
         lp.sec("sending text message from ac1 to ac2")
         msg_out = chat.send_text("message1")
+        assert not msg_out.is_encrypted()
 
         lp.sec("wait for ac2 to receive message")
         ev = ac2._evlogger.get_matching("DC_EVENT_MSGS_CHANGED")
@@ -460,6 +461,7 @@ class TestOnlineAccount:
         assert ev[2] > msg_out.id
         msg_back = ac1.get_message_by_id(ev[2])
         assert msg_back.text == "message-back"
+        assert msg_back.is_encrypted()
 
     def test_saved_mime_on_received_message(self, acfactory, lp):
         ac1, ac2 = acfactory.get_two_online_accounts()
@@ -564,6 +566,38 @@ class TestOnlineAccount:
         assert ch.id >= 10
         wait_securejoin_inviter_progress(ac1, 1000)
 
+    def test_qr_verified_group_and_chatting(self, acfactory, lp):
+        ac1, ac2 = acfactory.get_two_online_accounts()
+        lp.sec("ac1: create verified-group QR, ac2 scans and joins")
+        chat1 = ac1.create_group_chat("hello", verified=True)
+        assert chat1.is_verified()
+        qr = chat1.get_join_qr()
+        lp.sec("ac2: start QR-code based join-group protocol")
+        chat2 = ac2.qr_join_chat(qr)
+        assert chat2.id >= 10
+        wait_securejoin_inviter_progress(ac1, 1000)
+
+        lp.sec("ac2: read member added message")
+        msg = ac2.wait_next_incoming_message()
+        assert msg.is_encrypted()
+        assert "added" in msg.text.lower()
+
+        lp.sec("ac1: send message")
+        msg_out = chat1.send_text("hello")
+        assert msg_out.is_encrypted()
+
+        lp.sec("ac2: read message and check it's verified chat")
+        msg = ac2.wait_next_incoming_message()
+        assert msg.text == "hello"
+        assert msg.chat.is_verified()
+        assert msg.is_encrypted()
+
+        lp.sec("ac2: send message and let ac1 read it")
+        chat2.send_text("world")
+        msg = ac1.wait_next_incoming_message()
+        assert msg.text == "world"
+        assert msg.is_encrypted()
+
     def test_set_get_profile_image(self, acfactory, data, lp):
         ac1, ac2 = acfactory.get_two_online_accounts()