Following a recent security alert from the U.S. Embassy about dating app-related kidnappings near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus has responded with a message aimed at reassuring travelers.
According to Lemus, the case cited in the alert happened roughly a month ago and involved four foreign tourists who had used a dating app while visiting Puerto Vallarta. He explained that the individuals crossed into Nuevo Nayarit, Nayarit, where they were extorted and forced to call family members for money.
Lemus emphasized that the incident was not a kidnapping in the traditional sense but rather a case of extortion. “It was not so much a kidnapping as it was extortion,” he stated, adding that both Jalisco and Nayarit authorities acted swiftly and immediately informed the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The governor also urged tourists to avoid seeking sex services through dating apps, warning that such activity may violate Mexican law and can be connected to human trafficking networks.
While the U.S. Consulate confirmed reports of extortion involving U.S. citizens and their families, it also noted that these cases were not isolated to a single location. Reports have emerged from both Jalisco and Nayarit.
However, the Jalisco Attorney General’s Office told Proceso magazine that it has not received formal complaints related to these types of incidents, and officials in the State of Nayarit have not publicly commented on the matter.
The U.S. State Department maintains a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory for Jalisco and a “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution” advisory for Nayarit. As these two states remain popular travel destinations for U.S. citizens, travelers need to be proactive about their safety.
In its alert, the consulate advised travelers to use extra caution when meeting people through dating apps. Recommendations included meeting in public places, avoiding private or isolated locations, and sharing plans with trusted contacts.
Governor Lemus’s prompt response underscores local efforts to address concerns and protect visitors, while also highlighting the importance of exercising good judgment when using online dating platforms. https://banderasnews.com/
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