U.S. urges Americans in Colombia to avoid dating apps after 8 deaths

NBC News

16 Jan 202403:37

Summary

TLDRThe transcript describes a news report about a warning from the U.S. Embassy in Colombia regarding the dangers of using dating apps while traveling in the country. Eight American citizens have died under suspicious circumstances recently while visiting Colombia, possibly linked to meeting people through dating apps. An example is given of Tou Ger Xiong, a Minnesota artist and activist who was kidnapped and killed in Colombia in December 2022 after arranging a date. The Embassy has seen an increase in incidents involving dating apps used to lure victims, often foreigners, into situations where they are robbed or drugged. Major cities in Colombia have seen a rise in murders of foreign visitors. Most victims were American, and Americans make up a large portion of Colombia's tourism industry. The Embassy is advising travelers not to physically resist if being robbed, as that makes people more likely to be killed. They recommend meeting in public places, telling others about plans and who you'll be with, and trusting instincts if something feels unsafe. Despite the warnings, tragedies continue and leave families mourning from afar without answers or justice in some cases.

Takeaways

8 Americans have died under suspicious circumstances at a popular tourist destination in Colombia
The US Embassy is urging travelers not to use dating apps in Colombia due to criminals using them to lure victims
Victims are often drugged, robbed, or even killed after being contacted via dating apps
At least 8 recent American deaths in Colombia may be linked to dating app use
Tou Ger Xiong, an American artist, was kidnapped and killed in Colombia after asking his brother for money during a dating app meetup gone wrong
Officials have seen an increase in incidents involving dating apps used to lure foreign victims for robbery or drugging/robbing
Murders of foreign visitors in Colombia went up 29% in late 2023 compared to 2022
US citizens made up most of the foreign victims killed in Colombia recently
Americans make up 30% of foreign travelers in Colombia, drawn in by its beauty despite the dangers
No arrests have been announced in Tou Ger Xiong's case, leaving loved ones to mourn from thousands of miles away

Q & A

What warning is the US Embassy in Colombia giving American travelers?
-The Embassy is urging Americans not to use dating apps while visiting Colombia due to criminals using them to lure, rob, and sometimes kill victims.
How many recent American deaths in Colombia may be linked to dating app use?
-At least 8 recent American deaths in Colombia may be linked to dating app use and meetings gone wrong.
What happened to Tou Ger Xiong after using a dating app in Colombia?
-Tou Ger Xiong was kidnapped and killed in Colombia after asking his brother for money during a dangerous dating app meetup where he was unable to pay the ransom.
What has happened to murders of foreign visitors in Colombia in late 2023?
-Murders of foreign visitors in Colombia went up 29% in late 2023 compared to 2022.
What percentage of foreign travelers in Colombia are Americans?
-Americans make up 30% of foreign travelers in Colombia.
Have any arrests been made in Tou Ger Xiong's death?
-No arrests have been announced in Tou Ger Xiong's case so far.
How can travelers stay safer when meeting people from dating apps?
-Go to public places, tell friends/family details about your plans and the person you're meeting, and trust your instincts - if something feels off, get to safety.
What has happened to crime against foreign visitors in major Colombian cities?
-Crime and violence against foreign visitors in major Colombian cities has been increasing.
How are dating apps used to target foreign victims in Colombia?
-Criminals use dating apps to lure foreign victims into meetups where they are then drugged, robbed, or subjected to violence.
Even with the warnings, why do Americans still visit Colombia?
-Americans are drawn to Colombia's beauty as a travel destination despite the recent dangers - they make up 30% of foreign tourists there.

Outlines

U.S. Embassy Warns Against Using Dating Apps in Colombia

The U.S. Embassy in Colombia is urging travelers not to use dating apps in the country after at least 8 Americans died under suspicious circumstances. Criminals are using apps to lure victims and rob, drug, or even kill them. The deaths may be linked to dating app use.

Family Mourns Death of Minnesota Man Kidnapped and Killed in Colombia

Tou Ger Xiong, an artist from Minnesota, was kidnapped and killed in Colombia in December 2023 after asking his brother for money while on a trip there. He had been using dating apps and was lured on a date, then killed when he couldn't pay the ransom. His body was found covered in stab wounds.

Colombian Officials See Rise in Dating App Crimes Against Foreigners

Colombian officials report an increase in crimes involving dating apps used to lure foreign victims, especially Americans who make up 30% of foreign travelers there. Major cities have seen a 29% rise in murders of foreigners. Most victims were robbed after being drugged, but some like Tou Ger Xiong were killed.

U.S. Embassy Advice on Staying Safe

The U.S. Embassy advises meeting online contacts in public places and telling friends/family about plans and contacts. If robbed, don't resist and risk being killed. Trust instincts and get away if something feels wrong. But despite warnings, dating app crimes persist.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡dating apps

Dating apps refer to mobile applications used to meet and communicate with potential romantic partners. According to the video, criminals in Colombia have been using dating apps to lure foreign travelers into dangerous situations, often robbing or killing them after meeting up. The U.S. Embassy warned Americans to avoid using dating apps while visiting Colombia due to multiple suspicious deaths linked to these platforms.

💡tourist destination

A tourist destination is a place that attracts visitors due to attractions, scenery, culture or entertainment. Colombia is portrayed in the video as a popular tourist destination. However, it also warns of the dangers that American tourists may face there, especially when using dating apps.

💡ransom

A ransom refers to money or valuables paid in exchange for someone's release who has been kidnapped. In the video, one victim was kidnapped during a date and killed when he could not make the ransom payment demanded by the kidnappers.

💡drugged

To be drugged means to be given intoxicating or narcotic substances without one's knowledge or consent. According to the U.S. Embassy, American travelers have been drugged, robbed and even killed in Colombia after being lured into dangerous situations through dating apps.

💡robbery

Robbery refers to the criminal act of stealing money or property by force or threat. The video states that dating apps are being used in Colombia to lure foreigners into situations where they are robbed by force or by using sedatives.

💡foreigners

Foreigners refer to visitors from other countries. The video focuses on American foreigners traveling to Colombia being targeted through dating apps, resulting in robbery, assault or even death in some cases.

💡sedatives

Sedatives refer to substances that induce sedation or calmness by reducing irritability and excitement. According to the U.S Embassy alert, sedatives have been used in Colombia to drug and rob foreign visitors lured through dating apps.

💡unanswered questions

Unanswered questions refer to mysteries or information still unknown. For victim families like Tou Ger Xiong's, there are many unanswered questions surrounding the deaths of their loved ones in Colombia, with no arrests announced.

💡crime

Crime refers to illegal acts that violate laws. The video depicts Colombia as facing issues with crime relating to the usage of dating apps, resulting in assault, robbery, kidnapping and murder of American visitors.

💡victims

Victims refer to those who suffer due to adverse circumstances or ill treatment by others. The video states that many U.S. citizens have been victims of dating app scams in Colombia - drugged, robbed or killed after being lured into dangerous situations.

Highlights

8 Americans died under suspicious circumstances at a popular tourist destination in Colombia.

The U.S. Embassy urged travelers not to use dating apps in Colombia due to criminals using the apps to lure victims.

At least 8 American deaths in Colombia are possibly linked to dating apps.

Officials believe criminals use dating apps to lure foreign victims to robberies by force or drugging.

An American artist was kidnapped during a date in Colombia, killed when he couldn't pay ransom.

Murders of foreign visitors in Colombia went up 29% compared to previous year.

Most victims were U.S. citizens, who make up 30% of Colombia's foreign travelers.

Behind Colombia's beauty is tragedy and unanswered questions for victims' families.

U.S. Embassy advises meeting online contacts in public places and telling others about your plans.

Don't physically resist robbery in Colombia, more likely to be killed.

Trust instincts - if something feels off, get away.

Advisories remain despite precautions, dangers persist in Colombia.

Colombia a popular destination for Americans, big tourism contributor.

Officials have seen an increase in dating app incidents targeting foreigners.

No arrests announced in some cases, leaving families mourning from afar.