Romance scams are increasingly becoming an issue across the American continent, especially in various Caribbean islands and Colombia, where victims—mostly men—fall for attractive young women who drug them and rob them.
A recent spike in police reports shows that this popular scam has now reached Argentina.
On August 22, the United States Embassy in Buenos Aires issued a Travel Alert warning Americans visiting the country’s capital about women drugging tourists to steal their money and other belongings.
Although an incident like this can happen with random women that travelers meet at bars and nightclubs, reports indicate that most of these scammers operate through dating apps like Tinder and other social media platforms.
There, they employ “social engineering,” a so-called technique used by cybercriminals to manipulate individuals into revealing sensitive financial information or carrying out actions that can compromise their safety.
“Buenos Aires has seen an increase in reports of robberies involving drugs that temporarily incapacitate victims.” says the US Embassy. Tourists “have been targeted in bars, nightclubs, and through dating applications.”
As mentioned before, Argentina is not the only South American country facing this issue. Last year, a series of “suspicious deaths” in Medellín, Colombia, recorded between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, prompted the US Embassy to issue a similar travel alert.
Similarly, Caribbean islands such as Jamaica present a “sophisticated romance fraud,” where scammers pose as reputable business owners or professionals to deceive victims into sending money or get involved in fake crypto and other fraudulent financial schemes.
Safety Recommendations
Primary recommendations from the embassy include avoiding leaving food or drinks unattended at bars or restaurants or accepting drinks from friendly women you’ve just met.
Most crimes occur when Americans invite random women from dating apps or bars back to their accommodations. According to local media outlets, they often use clonazepam to affect victims’ capacity to make lucid decisions.
Another key recommendation to protect yourself is to inform a friend or family member about your whereabouts and dating plans. Include as many details as possible about the woman and the places you will be visiting.
Keep in mind that most victims get their phones and other electronic devices stolen, losing crucial evidence about the perpetrator’s identity or intentions of wrongdoing.
Last but not least, always meet in public places, and don’t be embarrassed to walk away from unusual or awkward situations. Also, seek medical attention if you suspect you have been drugged. To do so, call 911.
Scams like these frequently result in serious financial losses as well as physical and emotional distress, so that’s why it’s of paramount importance to remain vigilant when traveling abroad.