(TheConservativeTimes.org) – Americans are being warned by the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Columbia to not use dating apps if they’re traveling to the country due to eight concerning deaths.
The Embassy’s warning said, “Over the last year, the Embassy has seen an increase in reports of incidents involving the use of online dating applications to lure victims, typically foreigners, for robbery by force or using sedatives to drug and rob individuals.”
They continued, “Criminals use dating apps to lure victims to meet in public places such as bars, restaurants, and hotels, and then later assault and rob them. Numerous U.S. citizens in Colombia have been drugged, robbed, and even killed by their Colombian dates.”
The Embassy stated that they see this happen mostly in larger cities such as Medellin, Cartagena, and Botoga with eight suspicious deaths occurring in Medellin between November 1 and December 31. They also said that they don’t think the crimes are linked, but rather use the same method.
This warning was issued on Wednesday as the U.S. Embassy suggested “being cautious” if you are traveling to Columbia and plan to use dating apps in the area. They said to “consider meeting in only public places, avoiding isolated locations.”
“Victims who are targeted via online dating applications tend to have their electronic devices stolen which often contain all evidence of communication with the assailants,” The Embassy continued.
Some advice they give, if you are traveling, is to keep in communication with friends and family and tell them where you are going. They encouraged people to use their instincts and leave if they felt like something was wrong. They also said not to physically resist in a robbery. “Victims of crime who resist robbery are more likely to be killed,” they said.
The Tourism Observatory of the District Personnel of Medellin states that robberies of foreign visitors were up 200% during the end of 2023, compared to where it was last year.
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