MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The US mission in Bogota issued a warning to American citizens about the dangers of dating in Colombia following a series of suspicious deaths of US citizens. The deaths, which occurred between November and December, are suspected to be linked to involuntary drugging overdoses and suspected homicides.
One of the victims, Tou Ger Xiong, a 50-year-old American comedian from Minnesota, was found dead with multiple stab wounds after being kidnapped during a trip to Colombia. Other victims met similar fates, with circumstances pointing to motives of drugging, robbery, and overdose, often involving the use of online dating apps.
US authorities believe that these incidents are not directly connected, but they do highlight the potential risks that American citizens face when using dating apps in a foreign country, especially in Colombia. The US embassy stated that there was a 29% increase in violent deaths of foreign visitors, particularly US citizens, in Colombia. Criminals are known to exploit dating apps to lure victims into public places like hotels, restaurants, and bars before carrying out robberies.
Colombia has become a popular destination for tourists, with Medellin experiencing a record-breaking 1.4 million tourists in 2022, a quarter of whom were American visitors. The city’s popularity among remote workers is expected to increase the number of tourists in 2023. However, the rise in suspicious deaths has prompted the US embassy to urge Americans in Colombia to exercise caution when using dating apps and to avoid isolated locations where crimes are more likely to occur.
According to Carlos Calle, the former director of Medellin’s tourism observatory, criminals in the city often drug tourists with scopolamine, also known as “Devil’s Breath.” This dangerous substance is used to incapacitate victims, making them vulnerable to robbery and other crimes. In response to the rise in suspicious deaths, US citizens in Colombia are advised to meet only in public places when using dating apps and to establish security procedures when inviting someone to their residence or hotel room.