US embassy officials and Mexican consulates have confirmed several reports that Americans have been lured by individuals they meet on dating apps, federal officials have announced.
In a security alert issued on June 2, authorities at the US Consulate in Guadalajara issued warnings about the incident. All of this has been happening in the Puerto Varalta and Nuevonayarit regions for recent months.
“The victims and their families in the United States were sometimes forced to spend a lot of money to secure their release,” the official said. “It should be noted that this type of violence is not limited to one geographical area. Travelers should be careful when meeting strangers.”
Puerto Varalta is located on the Pacific coast of Mexico in Jalisco. It is famous for its beaches, water sports and nightlife. (Getty Images)
Officials did not name any of the specific dating apps, but provided the following tips for a safer trip:
If you use a dating app in Mexico, be careful if you meet only in public places and avoid isolated places where crime is most likely to occur.
Officials at the US Consulate also encouraged travelers to stay behind Mexico’s US State Department travel advisories.
The 31-year-old, who lost a California woman, died in Arizona
Currently, Jalisco, Mexico, which includes the city of Puerto Vallarta, is currently categorized as “Level 3: Reconsideration Trip” due to crime and inducements. The state of Nayarit, including the city of Nuevo Nayarit, is classified as “Level 2: Exercise Caution” due to crime.
US citizens traveling to Mexico can contact the US embassy and consulate in Mexico using the following link:
Source link
