(KTLA) – Officials at the United States Embassy and its consulates in Mexico have confirmed several reports of Americans being kidnapped by individuals they met on a dating app, federal officials announced.
In a security alert issued June 2, authorities at the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara issued a warning about the incidents, all occurring in recent months in the areas of Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit.
“Victims and their families in the United States have at times been extorted for large sums of money to secure their release,” officials said. “Please be aware that this type of violence is not limited to one geographic area. Travelers should use caution when meeting strangers.”
While officials did not name any specific dating apps, they provided several tips for safer travel. Among them, officials warned users to meet with matches “in public places and avoid isolated locations;” inform someone you trust of your plans, your meet-up location, and the app you used before leaving; end the date if your “instincts” are telling you something feels off; and call 911 if an emergency should arise.
Authorities at the U.S. Consulate General also encouraged travelers to stay abreast of the U.S. State Department’s travel advisories for Mexico.
Currently, the Mexican state of Jalisco, which includes the city of Puerto Vallarta, is classified as “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” due to crime and kidnappings. The state of Nayarit, which includes the city of Nuevo Nayarit, is classified as “Level 2: Exercise Caution” due to crime.
U.S. citizens traveling in Mexico can find a list of emergency contacts at the official website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Mexico.