US warns against using dating apps in Colombia after suspicious deaths of 8 US citizens

Americans traveling to Colombia are being warned against using dating apps in the country after eight suspicious deaths in the South American country in the past two months. A US embassy in Bogotá said criminals are using dating apps to “lure victims” to meet in public places — like hotels, restaurants, and bars — where they are sometimes “drugged,” assaulted, and robbed.

The embassy said it was aware of eight “suspicious deaths” of Americans in Medellín between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31. “Numerous US citizens in Colombia have been drugged, robbed, and even killed by their Colombian dates,” the embassy said in a press release . “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.” Most of the reported violence and murder involving dating apps happened in Medellín, Cartagena, and the capital Bogotá, according to the Embassy.

Thefts against foreigners have risen 200% in the third trimester of 2023, the Tourism Observatory of the District Personnel of Medellín said. Violent deaths against foreigners have increased 29% in the home country of Shakira , with the 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 Colombian girls and he was kidnapped and murdered in Medellín, police said. He had called friends on Dec. 10 to say he had been kidnapped and was being held at gunpoint. The group demanded 8 million Colombian pesos, or roughly $2,000, to release him. The comedian was later found dead in a ravine with multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma.

As of Jan. 2, the Department of State has issued Colombia a “Level 3” advisory, meaning that US travelers should “reconsider travel” due to “crime and terrorism.” In addition, Arauca, Cauca, and Norte de Santander, as well as the Venezuela Colombia border have been listed as a “Level 4,” meaning travelers are advised to not travel to these areas.

“The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens as US government personnel travel to these areas is severely restricted due to security concerns,” it said. Americans are also facing terrorism charges at the Venezuelan border for accidentally crossing the “not clearly marked” border without a visa, the State Department said..