Officials at the United States Embassy and its consulates in Mexico have confirmed several reports of Americans being kidnapped by individuals they met on a dating app, federal officials announced.  

In a security alert issued June 2, authorities at the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara issued a warning about the incidents, all occurring in recent months in the areas of Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit.  

“Victims and their families in the United States have at times been extorted for large sums of money to secure their release,” officials said. “Please be aware that this type of violence is not limited to one geographic area. Travelers should use caution when meeting strangers.”  

While officials did not name any of the specific dating apps, they provided the following tips for safer travel: 

• Be cautious if using dating apps in Mexico 
• Meet only in public places and avoid isolated locations where crimes are most likely to occur  
• Tell friends or family members where you are going, details of the person you’re meeting and what app was used to meet them 
• If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation 
• In case of emergency call 911 on any telephone to reach local authorities 

Authorities at the U.S. Consulate General also encouraged travelers to stay abreast of the U.S. State Department’s travel advisories for Mexico. 

Currently, the Mexican state of Jalisco, which includes the city of Puerto Vallarta, is currently classified as “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” due to crime and kidnappings. The state of Nayarit, which includes the city of Nuevo Nayarit, is classified as “Level 2: Exercise Caution” due to crime.  

U.S. citizens traveling in Mexico can use the following link to contact the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Mexico.