Medellin, Colombia – The U.S. State Department has issued a warning urging Americans traveling to Colombia to refrain from using dating apps while in the country, citing concerns of criminal activities targeting users of these apps. The advisory comes in the wake of several suspicious deaths and rising incidents of robbery and violence associated with online dating in Colombia.
According to the State Department, eight U.S. citizens were killed in Medellin – a city in Colombia – at the end of 2023. The deaths were attributed to involuntary drug overdoses or suspected homicides, with some of the victims reported to have met their assailants through online dating apps.
The State Department’s statement highlighted the use of dating apps by criminals to lure victims into public places such as hotels, restaurants, and bars, where they later become targets of assault and robbery. The advisory also pointed out that a significant number of U.S. citizens in Colombia have reported being drugged, robbed, or killed by individuals they met through these apps.
Reports indicate an increase in such incidents, particularly in major Colombian cities like Medellin, Cartagena, and Bogota. However, the U.S. Embassy in Colombia noted that many of these crimes go unreported due to victims’ reluctance to come forward or engage in the legal process.
The surge in thefts and violent deaths involving foreign visitors in Colombia has raised concerns, with statistics from the Tourism Observatory of the District Personnel of Medellin showing a significant spike in such incidents compared to the previous year. As a result of the rising violent crime and terrorism in certain parts of the country, the State Department has placed Colombia under a Level 3 “reconsider travel” advisory.
In light of these developments, the State Department provided safety tips for individuals continuing to travel to Colombia and potentially using dating apps. These tips include meeting strangers only in public places, informing a friend or family member of one’s plans, and avoiding resistance in the event of a robbery attempt.
The advisory serves as a cautionary measure for travelers, emphasizing the need to exercise vigilance and discretion, especially when using online dating platforms in unfamiliar environments. With the safety of U.S. citizens in mind, the State Department’s warning underscores the potential risks and dangers associated with online dating in Colombia.