Australians travelling overseas are increasingly falling victim to scams centred around dating apps and incapacitating drugs.
Brisbane-based travel risk management company World Travel Protection is warning about an increase in honey-trapping involving the drug scopolamine, also known as the Devil’s Breath.
World Travel Protection Intelligence and Security Leader Paul Trotter said the activity had prompted warnings from the US State Department and the Australian Government.
Mr Trotter said as travellers grew more comfortable using dating apps overseas, they were being targeted for assault and robbery, with their dates drugging them after gaining their confidence.
“The odorless and tasteless drug scopolamine, also known as the Devil’s Breath, is added to his drink, food, or even cigarettes,” he said.
Mr Trotter said honey-trapping was not an urban myth and was probably under-reported due to feelings of embarrassment or shame on the part of the victims.
“Generally speaking, men are the intended targets for this scam.
“Which is not to say that women aren’t dosed with Scopolamine, but men face a much higher frequency and are targeted for different reasons – namely robbery,” he said.
“In countries like Australia, women are far more likely to have a drink spiked than men, and so they know to protect themselves from it, but in countries like Colombia with scopolamine – or Burundanga as it is known locally – men are frequently targeted.”
Mr Trotter said gathering data about scopolamine’s use in robberies was difficult as travellers report being unconscious or in a “twilight state” for 24 hours or more, making detection difficult as they are often unconscious for the half-life of the drug.
“The lack of evidence also makes it extremely difficult to attribute robberies to scopolamine.
“But the US State Department was so concerned about the drug’s use, they issued a warning to travellers specifically about the use of dating apps in scopolamine robberies.
“(And) the Australian Government, via its Smarttraveller website, has recently issued a similar warning saying that cases are on the rise in Colombia and Australians are among those targeted.”
Mr Trotter said despite feelings of embarrassment victims should call their insurance company or travel risk management provider who could assist them in finding appropriate support.
What to do if you fall victim
- Report it to local authorities and seek medical attention.
- Contact your travel risk management organisation for further advice on mitigating loss, depending on the valuables that were stolen or the access to information the criminals may have gained.
- For those travelling to South America, specifically Colombia and other affected countries, remain vigilant and seek specific advice before travelling.
