The U.S. Embassies in Bogotá issued a security alert regarding robber gangs using online dating apps following the suspicious deaths of eight U.S. nationals in recent months.
“The deaths appear to involve either involuntary drugging overdose or are suspected homicides,” the embassy wrote on its website.
The suspicious deaths all occurred in Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city, in a relatively short time span—between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023.
No personal connection between the victims exists except for the fact that several of the deaths occurred after the victims arranged a meet-up via dating apps.
“Criminals use dating apps to lure victims to meet in public places such as hotels, restaurants, and bars, and then later assault and rob them,” the embassy warned.
“Numerous U.S. citizens in Colombia have been drugged, robbed, and even killed by their Colombian dates,” the embassy added.
Though not a new phenomenon, an increasing number of reports have been filed of robberies involving the use of online dating applications to lure victims, typically foreigners.
Though dates may be arranged in bars, restaurants, and other public places, most robberies occur later on, in private residences or hotel rooms, where the victims are either robbed by force or drugged with sedatives for the same purpose.
The embassy said it now regularly receives reports of these types of incidents in major cities, including, but not limited to, Medellín, Cartagena, and Bogotá, although it is believed that the actual number of robberies is much higher.
“These types of crimes routinely go underreported as victims are embarrassed and do not want to follow through with the judicial process,” the embassy said.
U.S. citizens are cautioned to “be vigilant, maintain heightened situational awareness, and incorporate strong personal security practices into their activities.”
“If something does not feel right, do not hesitate to walk away from a situation,” the embassy advised.
Other safety advice includes meeting with strangers only in public places; clearly relaying to hotel staff who is allowed to enter one’s room; and to always inform family, a friend, or an acquaintance of one’s plans, including one’s destination, details of the person one is meeting, and the app used to meet them.
Lastly, the embassy warned to not physically resist robbery attempts.
“Victims of crime who resist robbery are more likely to be killed.”
The alert comes 10 days after the U.S. Department of State changed Colombia’s travel advisory status to level 3, urging U.S. citizens to “reconsider travel” due to crime and terrorism.
“Terrorist groups and criminal organizations continue operating and carrying out attacks in Colombia,” the State Department wrote. “They may attack with little or no warning, targeting transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, police stations, military facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, airports, other public areas, and U.S. government facilities.”
Certain areas in the country were given a level 4 status: “Do not Travel.” These include Arauca, Cauca, and Norte de Santander due to violent criminal gangs and terrorist groups, and the Colombia–Venezuela border region due to crime, kidnappings, and risk of detention when crossing the poorly marked Venezuelan border from Colombia.
