Officials in Medellín will convene with diplomats and well-known dating platforms this week following the discovery of five deceased foreigners in the city within the last week.
According to authorities, none of the fatalities were caused by violence. However, one of the incidents seems to involve a man who was discovered deceased in his hotel room a few hours after being accompanied by two women.
The mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, informed reporters on Monday that there have been fatalities due to various reasons such as heart disease, suicide, and drug overdoses. He also mentioned incidents where tourists using dating apps were deceived and ultimately became victims of theft and murder. This is a sensitive issue and the mayor has already discussed it with the US ambassador.
In the last three decades, Medellín has changed from being one of the most violent cities in the world to becoming a popular location for tourists and remote workers. In 2022, the city received over 1.4 million visitors, attracted by its pleasant climate and welcoming atmosphere, a significant increase from the 200,000 who visited in 2015.
According to crime experts, Tinder is being used by criminal groups to target the increasing number of unsuspecting tourists. These gangs enlist young and attractive women to entice foreigners on dates through mobile dating apps, only to later drug and steal from them.
Numerous instances go unreported due to victims feeling ashamed to report to the authorities. However, a string of fatalities in recent months has shed light on the issue.
Many fatalities are caused by excessive consumption of substances such as scopolamine, also known as devil’s breath. This plant, found in the Andes, is used to render individuals helpless in order to rob them or drain their bank accounts.
Last month, foreign visitors were cautioned by embassies, such as the US and UK, due to a surge in deaths linked to online dating.
In November and December of 2023, the US embassy in Bogotá documented eight deaths of US citizens that were deemed “suspicious”. Additionally, there was a 200% rise in thefts targeting foreign visitors in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year.
According to the embassy, many American citizens in Colombia have been victimized by their Colombian partners through the use of drugs, theft, and even murder.
In late January, Tinder advised users in Colombia to be careful when swiping due to recent deaths.
“Users were advised to vet their matches, meet in public places, and share their plans with trustworthy individuals. They were also reminded that if anything seems suspicious, they have the option to end the date.”
In 2023, the mayor’s office reported that two individuals from Britain passed away in Medellín due to non-natural reasons.
The authorities in Medellín have announced an investigation into the five most recent fatalities.
According to reports, Turney Patricia Gail, a 73-year-old American citizen, passed away after participating in a yagé (ayahuasca) ritual.
Anthony Lopez, a 29-year-old American, was discovered deceased following his arrival at his hotel room with two women. Manley Mark Conlen, also an American citizen at 37 years old, fell from the 17th floor of a building in the posh El Poblado neighborhood.
According to Yiri Milena Amado, the director of the Medellín attorney general’s office, the fatalities could be caused by an excess dose or consumption of a psychoactive substance.
The rise in questionable deaths of non-residents has been linked by local officials to the thriving sexual tourism sector in Medellín.
“We will be the initial ones to acknowledge it. We do not wish to conceal or fabricate the situation,” stated Manuel Villa, Medellín’s security secretary, during a press conference on Sunday.
According to Carlos Calle, the head of Medellín’s Tourism Observatory, criminal groups are taking advantage of the city’s lack of control by offering a complete range of services to attract the wrong type of tourists. This statement was made to the local newspaper El Tiempo.
This week, the local government will be meeting with dating apps to address ways of enhancing safety measures for tourists participating in online dating.
Some individuals who have been robbed by scopolamine claim that they are unfairly labeled as sex tourists and are held responsible for the robbery.
A Facebook group for individuals who have been drugged with a hallucinogen in Colombia has reached nearly 5,000 members. Due to lack of confidence in the authorities’ ability to apprehend the perpetrators, group members often utilize private investigators or collaborate to locate the young women responsible for drugging and robbing them.
Source: theguardian.com
