The American Embassy in Colombia has given American travelers–especially “passport bros”-a warning.
According to Atlanta Black Star, many passport bros are being robbed and given drug overdoses after using dating apps in Colombia and meeting the locals.
Steven Valdez is a 31-year-old travel blogger who fell victim.
He matched with a girl on Tinder, and when they met, she gave him ajiaco, a creamy local soup.
He took two spoonfuls, and it was “the last thing I remember.”
When Valdez came to, he was in the hospital with a cocktail of sedative drugs in his system, including the deadly scopolamine, which makes victims blackout and can kill them.
Colombian officials have nicknamed scopolamine, which is widely available in the country, “Devil’s Breath.”
“The plant is widely distributed throughout the country. In urban areas, it is common to find it in gardens because it has a very beautiful flower,” Toxicologist Diana Pava
The drug’s symptoms include:
- Sleepiness
- Rapid heart rate
- Amnesia
- Seizure
- Unconsciousness for up to 24 hours
According to Medellin, a fast-rising number of passport bros have died from overdosing on the drug.
People Are Taking Advantage Of Passport Bros
The U.S. Embassy in Colombia shared similar facts.
“The number of thefts committed against foreign visitors (excluding Venezuelans) increased 200 percent in the third trimester of 2023 compared to the previous year and violent deaths of foreign visitors increased 29 percent. Most of the 2023 violent death victims were U.S. citizens.”
Despite these alarming statistics, passport bros like Valdez still visit Colombia in search of love.
But that’s working to the advantage of criminals, who use dating apps to lure travelers into public places like bars, restaurants, and hotels.
From there, they drug, rob, or even kill their dates.
“Often, the gangs employ beautiful women with alluring features to lure in men.” Andrés Nieto, a crime and security expert in Bogotá
An anonymous passport bro was fortunate to escape with his life after a similar incident.
“I matched with a girl on Tinder. Just another girl, I thought. Just another date… She took my iPad, my phone, my wallet, my credit cards, my I.D. Everything but my laptop.”
Minnesota comedian Tou Ger Xiong was among several Americans killed in Medellin between November and December 2023.
Between January and October 2023, 32 foreigners were violently killed in Colombia.
This included 12 Americans and 3 U.K. citizens.
Most victims are men.
So I’m hearing that they are unaliving passport bros in Colombia ? pic.twitter.com/rJcJIW0dro
— ? ????? ꨄ (@TeaghanIris) January 26, 2024
and
The passport bros are getting killed left and right in Colombia
— Wilhova (@WilhovaThe3rd) January 23, 2024
