Scams/Crime

Mexico: Possible Retaliatory Attacks in Puerto Vallarta

Date: September 1st, 2010 |

Following the detonation of a hand grenade in a bar popular with locals near, but outside the main tourist area of Puerto Vallarta Aug. 25, the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara issued a warning about two other establishments that might be targeted for retaliatory attacks: La Vaquita Grill located at Lazaro Cardenas #567, El Pitillal, [read more]

Venezuela: Violent Crime Rate Remains Sky High

Date: September 1st, 2010 |

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Venezuela is facing a crime crisis of such proportions that its murder rate in 2009 was dramatically higher than Iraq’s, a country with a similar size population and active war zones. More than 19,000 murders occurred in Venezuela, making it one of the world’s most dangerous countries. Small gangs are responsible for much of the [read more]

Botswana: Criminal Gangs Target Foreigners

Date: August 4th, 2010 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Gaborone released a message stating that criminal gangs have been targeting individuals they perceive to be easy targets, with several serious incidents against foreigners within a week. The incidents include the stabbing of an expat during an attempted laptop robbery near Kgale Hill; the armed robbery of a group of diplomats [read more]

Nicaragua: New “Friends” Lure Victims into Taxi Kidnappings

Date: July 28th, 2010 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Managua reported that nearly a dozen taxi kidnappings occurred in the past month in several areas, including around the international airport, along bus routes to and from San Juan del Sur, San Jorge, Granada, Managua, Esteli and Masaya, and in the city of Managua. In all cases involving U.S. citizens, the [read more]

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands: Security Increased in Wake of Tourist Killing, Suspect in Custody

Date: July 21st, 2010 |

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Authorities bolstered security in tourist areas throughout the island after the shooting death of a teenage Carnival Cruise Lines passenger July 12. The security measures included increased police foot and mobile patrols, upgraded surveillance equipment and 24-hour camera monitoring. One suspect was arrested after turning himself in to police and further arrests were [read more]

Northern Ireland: Tourism Officials Call Australia’s Travel Alert an Overreaction

Date: September 1st, 2010 |

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Australia warned its citizens to be cautious about travel to Northern Ireland because of a series of bombings over the last month and rising sectarian strife. The warning addressed the possibility of being caught in violence directed at others or in demonstrations that become violent. The U.S. State Department’s notice on Northern Ireland also advises [read more]

Northern Ireland: Belfast Thugs Attack “Peace” Bus

Date: August 18th, 2010 |

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Three German teenagers were injured when thugs attacked their bus on a cross-community project to bridge the divide between east and west Belfast. The youths were among a group of 40 out for a night of fun and cultural understanding when their bus’ windows were smashed by a gang hurling bricks and bottles. They were [read more]

Kenya: Bandits Kill Tourist in Masai Mara Camp

Date: July 28th, 2010 |

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Bandits attacked a tourist tent camp in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, killing one and wounding two but reportedly escaping without obtaining any valuables. Authorities launched a major security operation involving 100 police, sniffer dogs and two aircraft to track down the assailants. The attack took place at a resort in the Mara Triangle, the [read more]

Guatemala: Extortion Gangs Continue Attacks on Bus Drivers

Date: July 21st, 2010 |

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Gangs running extortion rackets against Guatemala City bus drivers continued their murderous enforcement with three recent attacks that killed four people. In one, two passengers died and 15 were injured when the assailants tossed a grenade inside the bus and it ignited a fire. The bus was on its regular route between Guatemala City and [read more]

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands: Drug Violence Claims Life of 14-year-old Tourist

Date: July 14th, 2010 |

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A 14-year-old tourist from Puerto Rico on a shore excursion from a Carnival Cruise Lines ship was killed in a drug gang gun battle July 12. While the incident was a tragic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, it underscored a growing problem in the Virgin Islands where gun violence [read more]