On June 2, 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a security alert to its citizens, warning of a series of recent kidnappings against American travelers who used dating apps in the country. According to the official warning, the victims reportedly met their captors through digital platforms, particularly in the tourist areas of Puerto Vallarta, in the state of Jalisco, and Nuevo Nayarit, in the state of Nayarit.
The statement, posted on the website mx.usembassy.gov, confirms that in several cases, large sums of money were demanded from the victims’ families in the United States to secure their release. The reports have been verified by the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara, which also noted that the violence associated with these practices is not limited to a single geographic region in Mexico.
The embassy urged its citizens to take specific precautions, such as avoiding meetings in isolated locations, sharing their location and meeting information with trusted individuals, and contacting Mexican authorities in case of emergency. It also reiterated that Jalisco is under a Level 3 travel advisory, which recommends reconsidering travel, while Nayarit is under a Level 2 advisory, which suggests exercising increased caution.
