Dating apps connected to eight mysterious deaths of US individuals in Colombia raise suspicions

The US embassy in Bogota has issued a warning to US citizens traveling to Colombia about the use of dating apps in the country. This caution comes after the occurrence of several "suspicious deaths" of eight American tourists within a two-month period. In some cases, the victims were drugged and robbed after meeting individuals on these apps. The incidents predominantly took place in popular cities such as Medellin, Cartagena, and Bogota, where a surge in US tourism has been observed. To ensure their safety, travelers are advised to avoid isolated locations like hotel rooms. Criminals exploit dating apps to entice victims into public spaces like restaurants and bars, where they can be assaulted, robbed, or even killed by the people they meet, as warned by the embassy. In the last quarter of 2023, there was a significant 200% increase in robberies of foreign visitors and a 29% rise in deaths, including the eight Americans who lost their lives between November 1st and December 31st. Among those victims was Tou Ger Xiong, a 50-year-old American comedian and activist of Asian descent residing in Minnesota. Xiong was on vacation in Colombia at the end of November when he was abducted, stabbed fatally, and killed by a group of men after meeting a woman online and arranging a date. It is important to note that the actual number of foreign victims might be higher than reported due to the underreporting of such crimes. Victims often feel embarrassed or reluctant to engage in legal proceedings. The embassy warns that individuals who resist or fight against robbery attempts are at a higher risk of being killed.