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yesterday

U.S. Citizens Kidnapped in Mexico After Dating-App Meetings, Embassy Warns

New safety guidance focuses on public meetings alongside travel warnings for Jalisco and Nayarit.

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Close up of young woman checking social media network on smartphone on the go in the city. Mobile phone with heart emoji speech bubble message on the screen. People engaging in networking with technology. Social media addiction concept.
The cathedral in Guadalajara. The city’s US consulate has advised against travelling to the resort of Puerto Vallarta
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Overview

  • The U.S. Embassy and its consulates confirmed multiple Americans were abducted in recent months in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit after meeting captors on dating apps.
  • Officials reported that victims and their families faced large extortion demands to secure releases.
  • The U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara advised travelers to meet matches only in public places, inform someone they trust of their plans and trust their instincts.
  • The State Department placed Jalisco under a Level 3: Reconsider Travel alert and Nayarit under Level 2: Exercise Caution due to crime and kidnappings.
  • Authorities noted that similar dating-app–related violent crimes have occurred in the U.S., including a spring robbery and shooting in Los Angeles.