Like most countries in the world, the U.S. government constantly updates its travel advisory for worldwide destinations. While some sites rarely see an upgrade or downgrade, others often shift between Levels 1, 2, and 3. In particular, the U.S. Department of State often updates its travel advisory for popular destinations in Mexico based on the latest news.

A few days ago, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Mexico issued a warning directed at American travelers following a kidnapping in the famous city of Puerto Vallarta. According to it, people met locals via dating apps and ended up being kidnapped. Relatives in the U.S. had to pay large sums of money for their release.

This article discusses everything you should know about this news, including details about the kidnapping, what the U.S. Embassy warning says, and safety tips to ensure this won’t happen to you.

The U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Mexico just issued a warning to all American travelers following the kidnapping of U.S. nationals in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit. According to the newly released warning:

U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara has confirmed several reports of U.S. citizens being kidnapped by individuals the victims met on dating apps in recent months in the Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit areas. Victims and their family members in the United States have at times been extorted for large sums of money to secure their release.

While Nayarit remains on the U.S. travel advisory Level 2 list, Jalisco, the state where Puerto Vallarta is located, is categorized as Level 3: Reconsider travel. Concerning this location, the U.S. Department of State states:

The travel advisory continues by declaring that parts of Jalisco, including Guadalajara, are dangerous due to local gangs. Shooting is, unfortunately, relatively common, and bullets can sometimes hit bystanders. In particular, tourists are asked to avoid these areas:

That said, it is fairly common for the U.S. Department of State to update its travel advisories. For instance, the U.S. recently released a new travel advisory for Los Cabos, so while Puerto Vallarta is now in the Level 3 category, this may soon change.

While the U.S. embassy mentioned kidnapping following online dating, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus denied this version of the facts and said that the American tourists had hired sex workers who then demanded high pay. In this regard, he stated:

According to his version of the story, the events occurred roughly a month ago and involved four American tourists who had to call their relatives asking for a high sum of money in exchange for their freedom. In this regard, the Jalisco Governor also urged tourists to avoid sex services in Mexico, especially via apps, as these are often associated with human trafficking.

The travel warning released by the U.S. Embassy also provided some tips for staying safe while traveling to Mexico. In particular, it advises people to use caution when meeting with strangers, for instance, by sharing details with loved ones back home. Additionally, travelers are advised to always meet in public places and avoid isolated locations, such as hotel rooms and private residences.

People should also try to determine whether the identity of the person they are communicating with online can be verified or seem reliable.

Apart from this, there are general guidelines all U.S. citizens are asked to follow when traveling to Mexico. For instance, travelers should opt for a reputable taxi company or ride-sharing app to avoid overcharges. People should also avoid sharing personal information with strangers, including travel details, their room number, and other sensitive information. If threatened on the phone, the U.S. authorities suggest hanging up immediately.

In general, however, it’s important to remember that most tourist areas in Mexico are often safe. As the U.S. State Department points out:

In major cities and resort areas, the tourism industry is generally well-regulated. Best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas and activities are identified with appropriate signage, and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities.