Suspicious Deaths of 8 Americans in Colombia... Due to This Cartel App?

Dating Apps Popular as Tools for Organized Crime in South America

The U.S. Embassy in Colombia has issued a warning to Americans visiting the country to be cautious of "dating applications (apps)." Recently, eight U.S. citizens have died consecutively in Colombia, and it is explained that these deaths are linked to "dating apps."

On the 12th (local time), British daily newspaper The Guardian and others reported, citing the statement from the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, that "foreign visitors should exercise caution when using dating apps in Colombia."

The embassy revealed that eight U.S. citizens died in Colombia over a two-month period from November to December last year. The causes of death include drug abuse or homicide, and on the surface, there appears to be little connection between the individual cases. However, there is one common factor: all of them were related to "dating apps."

In its statement, the embassy warned, "Many U.S. citizens in Colombia may have been victimized while going to meet dating partners." In other words, local gangs or mafias may lure victims through popular dating apps.

It added, "This type of crime often goes unreported because victims are too shocked to call the police," emphasizing that "many incidents are not reported as crimes." The embassy urged, "U.S. citizens should always remain vigilant, increase awareness of their surroundings, and strictly maintain personal security."

In fact, crimes against foreigners have surged recently in Colombia. According to the U.S. Embassy, thefts against foreign visitors to Colombia increased by 200% year-on-year as of the third quarter of last year, and deaths due to violence rose by 29%. Particularly, Colombian gangs sometimes use dangerous methods to systematically target victims.

Andres Nieto, a crime and security expert in Colombia, told The Guardian, "Popular dating apps like Tinder and Bumble have become highly popular tools for organized crime," explaining that "criminals select victims online and then invite them on dates to ambush them." Nieto also warned, "Gangs often hire attractive women with appealing appearances to lure male victims."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.