Americans traveling to Colombia are being warned not to use dating apps in the country after eight suspicious deaths in the South American country in the past two months.
The US Embassy in Bogotá said criminals use dating apps to “lure victims” to meet in public places – such as hotels, restaurants and bars – where they are sometimes “landed,” assaulted and robbed.
The embassy said it was aware of eight “suspicious deaths” of Americans in Medellín between November 1 and December 31.
“Many US citizens in Colombia have been drugged, robbed, and even killed by their Colombian dates,” the embassy said in a press release.
“Since last year, the Embassy has seen an increase in reports of incidents involving the use of online dating applications to lure victims, usually foreigners, to forcefully rob or use sedatives to drug and rob individuals.”
Most of the violence and killings reported involving dating apps occurred in Medellín, Cartagena, and the capital Bogotá, according to the Embassy.
The US Embassy in Bogota said it was aware of eight “suspicious deaths” of Americans in Medellín between November 1 and December 31. It said criminals use dating apps to “lure victims” to meet in public places and then attack and rob them. NurPhoto via Getty Images “Over the past year, the Embassy has seen an increase in reports of incidents involving the use of online dating applications to lure victims, usually foreigners, to forcibly rob or use tranquilizers to drug and rob individuals.” Universal Image Group via Getty Images
Theft against foreigners has increased by 200% in the third trimester of 2023, said the Medellín District Staff Tourism Observatory.
Violent deaths of foreigners have risen 29% in Shakira’s home country, with most victims being US citizens, according to the Embassy.
Minnesota comedian Tou Ger Xiong was among the victims. Before his death, he posted pictures with a Colombian girl and she was kidnapped and killed in Medellín, police said.
He had called his friends on December 10 to tell them he had been kidnapped and held at gunpoint. The group demanded 8 million Colombian pesos, or about $2,000, for his release.
The comedian was later found dead in a ravine with multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma.
Most of the violence and killings reported involving dating apps occurred in Medellín, Cartagena, and the capital Bogotá, according to the Embassy. LUIS EDUARDO NORIEGA A/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock As of January 2, the State Department has issued a “Level 3” advisory to Colombia, meaning US travelers should “reconsider travel” due to “crime and violence.” Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
As of January 2, the State Department has issued a “Level 3” advisory to Colombia, meaning US travelers should “reconsider travel” due to “crime and violence.”
Additionally, Arauca, Cauca, and Norte de Santander, as well as the Venezuela-Colombia border have been listed as “Level 4”, meaning travelers are advised not to travel to these areas.
“The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens because the travel of US government personnel to this area is very limited due to security concerns,” he said.
Americans also face charges of terrorism at the Venezuelan border for accidentally crossing the “not clearly marked” border without a visa, the State Department said.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
