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Colombia
COLOMBIA ------------------------------------2073ADVISORY

Crime Puts Tourism at Risk in Cartagena: More Robberies Targeting Foreigners

Criminal Groups Exploit Digital Platforms, Historic Areas, and Security Gaps to Strip Tourists of Their Belongings

The growing wave of crimes against foreign tourists in Cartagena has raised serious concerns among authorities and the tourism sector, following the disclosure of multiple cases in which visitors were victims of robberies, kidnappings, and extortion through carefully planned schemes.

Investigations carried out by the Office of the Attorney General revealed the dismantling of a criminal organization operating mainly in the Historic Center and other tourist areas of the city, using dating applications and social media as their primary means of contacting foreign citizens.

According to court records, the perpetrators arranged seemingly consensual meetings with victims, many of whom were unfamiliar with the city’s dynamics and the risks associated with certain areas. Once the meeting took place, tourists were transported to peripheral municipalities in the metropolitan area, such as Turbaco, where they were detained, threatened, and robbed of their belongings.

Authorities confirmed that the group was not limited to stealing personal items, but also gained access to bank cards, PIN numbers, and financial applications, emptying victims’ accounts within hours. During the arrest operations, several international bank cards were seized, allegedly belonging to foreign victims.

One of the most serious cases linked to this criminal structure was the murder of a Russian national, an incident that raised the profile of the investigation and exposed the level of violence to which these crimes could escalate. According to prosecutors, the homicide was committed to ensure impunity and prevent the victim from filing a complaint.

At the same time, videos circulating on social media and local news outlets have shown robberies taking place in emblematic public spaces such as Parque Centenario, where tourists were stripped of cellphones and valuables in broad daylight, even with passersby nearby.

These incidents have sparked concern among residents and business owners in the historic district, who are calling for increased police presence, permanent patrols, and preventive strategies focused on protecting tourism—one of the city’s main economic drivers.

The Tourism Police stated that control operations and awareness campaigns aimed at visitors have been intensified, advising tourists to avoid meeting strangers contacted through apps, refrain from carrying high-value items in public spaces, and report any suspicious activity immediately.

Security experts warn that this type of crime reflects a regional pattern, in which organizations combine technology, prior intelligence, and knowledge of tourists’ vulnerability to maximize the economic impact of criminal activity.

As judicial proceedings continue, the case reopens the debate on shared responsibility among authorities, digital platforms, and tourism stakeholders to ensure security conditions consistent with Cartagena’s international reputation as a cultural and heritage destination in the Colombian Caribbean.

By Heydi Bernal for Ruta Pantera on 2/1/2026 5:20:20 AM

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