Holidaymakers from the United States are being warned to think twice before swiping right while abroad, as officials reveal that criminal groups in Mexico are using dating apps to ensnare victims in a terrifying string of kidnapping and extortion schemes.
The U.S. State Department has issued an urgent alert following a rise in incidents where American citizens have been abducted after meeting people on popular dating platforms like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge while vacationing in Mexico.
According to the alert, several cases have recently emerged in Puerto Vallarta, a tourist hotspot in the western state of Jalisco, and Nuevo Nayarit, just a few miles north. Victims, whose identities have not been released, were lured into meeting strangers online, only to be kidnapped and held for ransom.
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In a chilling statement reported by the Daily Mail, U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara warned: “Victims and their family members in the United States have at times been extorted for large sums of money to secure their release,”
Guadalajara added: “Please be aware that this type of violence is not limited to one geographic area.”
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The safety advisory encourages travellers to meet dates in public places only, and avoid isolated settings such as private homes or hotel rooms — locations where many of the reported crimes have taken place.
The alert also includes simple but potentially life-saving tips. It reads: “Tell a friend or family member of your plans, including where you are going, details of the person you are meeting, and the app you used to meet them”.
“Trust your instincts. If something does not feel right, do not hesitate to remove yourself from a situation”.
Experts believe the kidnappings are being orchestrated by Mexican cartels, which have increasingly diversified beyond drug trafficking into human smuggling and scams involving tourists.
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Texas-based security consultant, Robert Almonte, said: “It doesn't surprise me that the Mexican cartels are involved in this latest scam, basically a ruse to get people to fall into their trap and then kidnap them and hold them for ransom,”.
“That doesn't surprise me at all. That's how the cartels operate. People need to understand that the Mexican cartels are not just about drugs… they involve activities other than drug trafficking, [they] involve human smuggling. But in this case, here they are using dating apps to trap people.”
He added: “I urge them to be very, very cautious. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of ways to meet people out there in Mexico and I would not use dating apps.”
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The advisory comes in the wake of high-profile criminal cases, including that of Aurora Phelps, a dual U.S.–Mexican citizen now facing extradition for allegedly using dating apps to kidnap and rob older men, with at least two resulting in death.
The warning also echoes similar alerts issued in Colombia, where eight Americans died in Medellín between November and December 2023 in incidents linked to online dating encounters. In one case, a Minnesota comedian was murdered after meeting a woman on Tinder; another victim was found with 20 stab wounds after inviting a date back to his hotel.
With summer holidays fast approaching, officials are urging Americans to take extreme caution and stay vigilant if planning to connect with strangers while travelling.