According to a travel advisory issued by the U.S. State Department, Americans should avoid using online dating apps while visiting Colombia due to several reported “suspicious deaths” in the country.
The State Department clarified that in the last months of 2023, there were eight deaths of American citizens in Medellin, Colombia, either caused by accidental drug overdose or suspected homicides.
Officials believe there is no connection between the deaths. However, in multiple cases, the victims were using dating apps and were later robbed, drugged, or murdered.
According to the State Department, perpetrators exploit dating apps to entice individuals into meeting at public establishments, such as hotels, restaurants, and bars. Subsequently, they commit crimes such as assault and robbery. There have been multiple incidents where American citizens in Colombia have been drugged, robbed, and even murdered by Colombians.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombia report there has been a rise in the number of reported incidents of this nature, primarily occurring in major cities such as Medellin, Cartagena, and Bogota.
According to the embassy, these types of crimes are frequently not reported due to the victims’ embarrassment or reluctance to pursue legal action.
The District Personnel of Medellin’s Tourism Observatory has reported a 200% rise in thefts targeting foreign tourists in Colombia towards the end of 2023, compared to the previous year. Additionally, there has been a 29% increase in violent deaths of foreign visitors, with a majority of the victims being citizens of the United States.
At present, Colombia is included in the Level 3 “reconsider travel” advisory by the State Department due to the occurrence of high levels of violent crime and terrorism in certain areas of the South American nation.
Authorities provided advice for individuals who plan to keep visiting Colombia and may utilize dating applications:
- When meeting with someone you don’t know, it is highly recommended to only meet in public areas and to avoid secluded places like homes or hotel rooms, as these are often hotspots for criminal activity.
- Before inviting a recently acquainted person to your home or hotel room, it is advisable to have a conversation with your door attendant or concierge. Together, you can establish a protocol for the necessary information that your guest must provide before being granted access (such as a photo of their ID). Additionally, it would be prudent to also determine the procedure to follow when your visitor leaves.
- Prior to meeting someone through a dating app, it is important to inform a friend or family member about your plans. This includes sharing the location you will be going to, providing details about the person you are meeting, and mentioning the specific app you used to connect with them. This precaution is necessary as individuals who fall victim to online dating scams may also have their electronic devices stolen, which could potentially contain all records of their communication with the perpetrators.
- It is not advisable to physically resist a robbery attempt. Those who do so are at a higher risk of being killed, according to statistics on crime victims
- If your gut is telling you something is off, don’t be afraid to remove yourself from the situation.
