The Dangers of Dating Apps in Colombia: American Expats Warned After a Wave of Robberies and Deaths
A recent string of violent incidents in which daters were allegedly assaulted, robbed, and, in some cases, even murdered has drawn the attention of the United States Department of State. At least eight “Suspicious Deaths” of US citizens occurred in the city of Medellín between November and December 2023.
According to a warning issued this month by the US Embassy in Bogotá, criminals use dating apps to lure victims to meet in public places such as hotels, restaurants, and bars, and then assault and rob them. The embassy also notes that “numerous American citizens in Colombia have been drugged, robbed, and even murdered by their Colombian partners.”
The alert recommends that U.S. citizens in the country “be vigilant, maintain heightened situational awareness, and incorporate strong personal safety practices.” Most dating apps also offer helplines for dating issues and share similar advice: Always meet your date in public places, especially at the beginning of a relationship, and if you feel pressured to go somewhere private, end the appointment.
The US Embassy also emphasized that, at this point, U.S. officials do not believe the eight deaths are related. However, several of the deaths point to possible drugs, robbery, and overdoses, and several involve the use of dating apps. The real number of victims may be even higher, as “the victims feel ashamed and do not want to continue with the judicial process.”
Incidents resulting in the death of foreign citizens or tourists in Colombia are relatively rare. But as travel and tourism to the country increase post-pandemic, violent crime appears to be on the rise. For example, in Medellín alone, robberies committed against foreigners in the third quarter of last year increased by 200% compared to the same period in 2022.
On a typical night out in Bogotá or Medellín, it is not unusual to hear warnings about burundanga, the Colombian name for scopolamine, a potent and difficult-to-detect alkaloid that, in concentrated forms, can leave a victim unconscious for up to 24 hours and, in large quantities, can cause respiratory failure and death. The US State Department said that scopolamine-related crimes appeared to be on the rise in Bogotá.
Carlos, an American expat living in Colombia, had a harrowing experience with a woman he met on a dating app. After they met in person, they went to his apartment to watch a soccer game. He was drugged and ended up in the hospital, only to find out later that several of his possessions were missing, including his passport and those of his children.
Looking back on the incident, Carlos considers himself relatively lucky and relieved that the woman appears to have been acting alone. However, he feels that authorities and society in general must take a new approach to responding to cases like his, as he felt blamed for not being more cautious by the police when he reported the incident.
The US Embassy has stated that Colombian authorities have arrested and prosecuted people who recently drugged and robbed foreigners in both Medellín and Bogotá in response to their security alert. Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez has also expressed the need for “positive tourism” in the city, emphasizing the importance of visitors focusing on culture and museums rather than engaging in “sex and drug tourism.”
With the increase in incidents involving dating apps and violent crime, it is essential for expats and tourists in Colombia to exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings when using dating apps or meeting strangers in intimate settings. The current warning from the US Embassy serves as a reminder of the risks involved in dating apps, especially for visiting American citizens.