Colombian Tinder users urged to carefully screen matches following deadly drugging incidents

Amid a rise in criminals exploiting the popular dating app to deceive and rob victims, Tinder has issued a safety advisory to its users in Colombia.

“Recently, governments have issued advice regarding increased risks in certain areas,” according to an in-app message sent to Tinder users. “Remember to check your matches, meet in public places and share plans with people you trust. If something feels off, you can end the date.”

A spokesperson for Match Group Inc., the parent company of the largest dating app, confirmed the content of the message, which was sent to users starting Wednesday. The spokesperson also said that Tinder has been in contact with local authorities investigating crimes involving foreigners and “is fully supportive with any information that is useful to them,” without saying what the authorities may have requested.

The U.S. Embassy in Bogota warned Americans earlier this month about the risks of using online dating apps in the region because of an increase in criminal activity in Colombia’s biggest cities, where criminals used them to meet foreigners in public places and later for drugs, assaults and robberies. them.

Between November 1 and December 31 of last year, eight US citizens died in Medellin, according to the embassy, which said the deaths were the result of suspected accidental drug overdose or suspected murder. Over the past year, the embassy said it has seen an increase in cases where online dating apps have been used to lure victims, typically foreigners, into violent robbery or sometimes drugging them with sedatives. These types of crimes “routinely go underreported because victims are embarrassed and unwilling to pursue legal action,” the embassy said.

The US State Department has a level three travel advisory for Colombia – the second highest on a four-level scale – encouraging citizens to reconsider travel due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnappings.

After the pandemic, Medellin, Colombia’s second largest city, received almost 1.4 million visitors from abroad in 2022, surpassing Cartagena for the first time.

Medellín Mayor Federico Gutierrez said earlier this month that the city wants to boost tourism, but warned travelers about practices related to drug use and sexual exploitation.

“Follow your gut,” Tinder told its users in Colombia.