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Colombia has long had a dubious reputation among travelers. On the one hand, it is a great destination to visit.
On the other hand, many travelers have claimed that they feel the need to keep their heads on the turn in certain areas.
Some of the more popular cities to visit are Medellin, Bogota and Cartagena, to name a few. The US Embassy just issued a nationwide security alert this morning for all travelers in Colombia.
While the American Embassy certainly has information that we do not possess, travelers can dive into our in-depth report on the safety aspect of Medellin here.
New security warning
Tragically, this was reported from November 1 to December 31, 2023 8 American tourists lost their lives because they were duped by criminals.
There are several ways tourists are targeted in Colombia. So much so that there is a common saying in Colombia that tourists should know.
‘No Dar Papaya’ translates to ‘don’t give papaya’. Essentially, do your best not to stand out and make yourself a target.
Keep valuables out of sight as you go about your day, and stick to tourist-friendly neighborhoods.
Advice from the US Embassy:
- Never physically resist an attempted robbery; your life is always more valuable than possessions
- Trust your intuition – if something doesn’t feel right, stick with your gut feeling
- Tell someone you trust about your plans when you go out
A fatal scam
Colombia is no stranger to crime and the US Embassy is certainly aware of that. So why this sudden change in tone?
It is quite alarming to lose eight lives in such a short time. Medellin in particular has become a hotspot for American tourists due to its affordable costs and beautiful year-round weather, among other benefits of digital nomads.
The world is beautiful, but there are bad apples everywhere. The same goes for Medellin and the rest of the country.
With digital nomadism and solo travel so popular, the road can sometimes get lonely. With our phones glued to our hips, it’s easy to use dating apps as they are now universal.
It’s no longer a social taboo to meet strangers, or even ride with them, but perhaps the latest scam will once again raise red flags.
The US embassy in Bogota sounds the alarm dating apps in Colombia, because American travelers are being duped much worse than the typical ‘catfish’.
Victims, as is the case with most dates, were lured to a meeting in a public place. As the evening progressed, the victims were led out of public view and in some cases attacked, drugged, robbed and even murdered.
Not all eight reported deaths have been attributed to dating apps, but “several” have been linked.
How to Stay Vigilant Dating in Colombia
In addition to maintaining a heightened sense of awareness, the embassy notes that you need to be one step ahead if you feel like you’re on a date from hell.
Staying in the public eye is crucial because violent crimes typically occur in isolation, such as in homes and hotel rooms.
If possible, notify the concierge at your hotel or residence of a visitor and ask them in advance to obtain a valid ID if you have a new visitor.
Sedatives have been used, so it’s important to keep an eye on what you drink and keep your phone within reach, as electronics are a commonly stolen item.
Rise in crime
According to the Tourism Observatory of the Medellin District Staff, crime against foreigners Up 200 percent by the end of 2023, compared to 2022 data.
That’s a big leap that raises eyebrows. What’s even more concerning is that many deaths deemed “violent” in 2023 involved U.S. citizens.
With the latest warning, it looks like these unfortunate trends will continue into 2024, with dating app scams becoming the most common tactic.
Here’s the problem: The US Embassy admits that crime often goes unreported because it embarrasses the victim. Although Medellin is the hotspot for crimes against tourists, given the embassy’s knowledge of unreported crimes, they felt it necessary to issue an alert for the entire country. Medellin, Bogota and Cartagena is emphasized.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
