Moved to Medellín February 2022. Beautiful city. Perfect weather. But in 3 years I've witnessed or experienced 8 security incidents. Here's what actually happened.
INCIDENT #1: My Friend Gets Scopolamined (Month 4, June 2022)
The Setup:
James (British, 32, in Medellín 2 months) went to a bar near Parque Lleras. Thursday night. Alone.
Met a woman. She was friendly, spoke good English, bought him a drink. He accepted.
What Happened Next:
Friday morning: James's roommate calls me panicking. "James hasn't been home. His phone is off."
Friday afternoon: James appears at apartment. Confused. Doesn't remember anything since Thursday 11pm.
Friday evening: We check his bank account.
Transactions Thursday 11:45pm - 3:30am:
- ATM withdrawal: $300 (max limit)
- ATM withdrawal: $300 (different ATM)
- ATM withdrawal: $300 (another ATM)
- Uber charges: $45
- His phone: Gone
- His watch: Gone
- His wallet: Returned (so police wouldn't be called immediately)
Total loss: $945 + phone + watch
What we learned later:
He went to 4 different ATMs withdrawing maximum amounts. Security footage shows him with a woman. He's smiling, compliant, entering PINs willingly.
He remembers NOTHING.
That's scopolamine. You're conscious. You're cooperative. You have zero free will.
James's recovery:
- Week 1: Headaches, confusion, memory gaps
- Week 2: Depression (from realizing what happened)
- Month 1: Paranoia (doesn't trust anyone)
- Month 3: Finally feeling normal
- Month 4: Left Medellín permanently
Lesson: Never accept drinks from strangers. Not water. Not beer. Nothing.
INCIDENT #2: I Get Followed (Month 7, September 2022)
The Setup:
Withdrew cash at ATM in El Poblado. 10pm. Well-lit area.
What Happened:
As I'm finishing, two guys on a motorbike pull up. Stop 10 feet away. Just watching.
I cancel transaction immediately (still had screen open). Walk away fast. They follow on bike. Slowly.
I walk into a tienda (corner store). Stay there 10 minutes. Buy water I don't need. Chat with the owner.
They're still outside. Waiting.
Store owner sees them. "Salga por atrás" (leave through the back). He opens back door to alley. I exit. Walk different direction. They're gone.
Total loss: $0 + elevated heart rate for 2 hours
Lesson: If anyone approaches you at an ATM, cancel and leave immediately. Even if you haven't withdrawn yet.
INCIDENT #3: Phone Grab (Month 11, January 2023)
The Setup:
Walking in Manila neighborhood (El Poblado). 8pm. Busy street. I'm texting while walking.
What Happened:
Motorbike drives past. Passenger grabs phone from my hand while I'm typing. Gone in 2 seconds.
I yell. They're already a block away.
Total loss: iPhone 13 Pro ($800 value)
Police report: Filed. Officer's response: "This happens 20 times a day. We won't find it."
What I learned:
Never use phone while walking on streets. Especially near curb. Motorbike phone grabs are the most common crime here.
Inside restaurants/cafes: Fine
Walking on sidewalk: You're a target
INCIDENT #4: Fake Police (Month 14, April 2023)
The Setup:
Walking home from coworking. 6pm. Still daylight.
Two men approach. Flash badges. "Policía. We need to check your bag for drugs."
What Happened:
I said in Spanish: "I want to go to the police station to do this."
They insisted: "No, here is fine. It's just a check."
I repeated: "Police station only. I'll come with you."
They looked at each other. Walked away.
Total loss: $0 (because I refused)
What they wanted:
Open my bag on street → See laptop/valuables → "We need to inspect everything" → Take items or demand bribe.
Lesson:
Real police don't do random bag checks on streets. If approached by "police":
- Say you'll only comply at station
- Ask for their badge number
- Call 123 (actual police number)
Fake cops leave immediately when you do this.
INCIDENT #5: Bar Overcharge (Month 17, July 2023)
The Setup:
Went to bar in Parque Lleras with 3 friends. Ordered drinks. Had fun. Asked for bill.
Bill: 450,000 pesos ($112)
We ordered:
- 8 beers ($32)
- 1 vodka soda ($8)
- Some chips ($6)
Should be ~$46. Bill is $112.
What Happened:
We questioned it. Waiter brings "itemized" bill. Shows:
- "Service charge" 80,000 pesos
- "Music cover" 60,000 pesos
- "Table charge" 40,000 pesos
We never agreed to any of this. No signs. Not on menu.
We refused to pay bogus charges. Manager came. Argument. He threatens to call police.
We say: "Perfect, call them."
He reduces bill to 250,000 pesos ($62). We pay. Leave. Never return.
Total loss: $16 overpayment (but would've been $66 if we didn't argue)
Lesson:
Tourist bars in Parque Lleras run this scam constantly. Always:
- Ask for prices before ordering
- Check bill before paying
- Refuse mysterious "charges"
- Be ready to argue
INCIDENT #6: Apartment Robbery Attempt (Month 21, November 2023)
The Setup:
I'm in my Laureles apartment. 11pm. Watching TV.
Hear noises at door. Like someone's trying to open it.
What Happened:
I freeze. Turn off TV. Listen.
Definitely someone testing the doorknob. Trying keys?
I yell in Spanish: "QUIEN ES? VOY A LLAMAR LA POLICIA!" (Who is it? I'm calling police!)
Footsteps. Running. Gone.
Check door: Scratches near lock. Someone was trying to pick it or force it.
Call building security. They check. Nothing. "Probably looking for empty apartments."
Total loss: $0 + couldn't sleep that night
What I did:
- Added secondary lock next day ($40)
- Got door reinforcement bar ($25)
- Now leave lights on when I leave
- Made friends with neighbors (they watch for suspicious people)
Lesson: Building security in Medellín is often fake/minimal. Reinforce your own door.
INCIDENT #7: Friend Gets Drugged at House Party (Month 24, February 2024)
The Setup:
Sarah (American, 28) goes to house party in El Poblado. Friend-of-friend thing. Mostly expats. Felt safe.
What Happened:
She has 2 drinks. Feels weird. Really weird. Vision blurry. Can't stand.
Her friend notices. Gets her in Uber immediately. Takes her home.
Sarah passes out. Sleeps 14 hours. Wakes up disoriented.
Her wallet: Still in her purse. Everything there.
Her memory: Nothing after 10:30pm.
What happened?
Someone drugged her drink at the party. But her friend caught it early and got her home before anything happened.
If her friend hadn't noticed: She'd be an Incident #1 story.
Lesson:
Even at "expat house parties," watch your drink. Go with friends. Leave together. Look out for each other.
INCIDENT #8: Tourist Taxi Scam (Month 28, June 2024)
The Setup:
Friend visiting from US. I warn him: "Only use Uber or InDriver. Never street taxis."
He forgets. Takes yellow taxi from airport to El Poblado.
What Happened:
Driver: "Taxi meter broken. Fixed price to El Poblado: 150,000 pesos ($37)."
My friend (doesn't know Colombia prices): "Okay."
Arrives El Poblado. Driver: "Actually, it's 150,000 pesos per person. You're two people with bags. 300,000 pesos total ($75)."
My friend: "That's not what you said!"
Driver: "Pay or I call police."
My friend pays $75 for what should've been $12 Uber.
Total loss: $63 overcharge
Lesson:
Taxi scams at airport are guaranteed. Use Uber. Always. The airport pickup area is clearly marked.
THE PATTERN
8 incidents in 36 months = 1 every 4.5 months.
Incident types:
- 2 involved drugs (scopolamine/roofies)
- 2 were theft attempts
- 2 were scams
- 1 was phone grab
- 1 was fake police
Common factors:
- 6 of 8 happened in El Poblado
- 5 of 8 happened at night (8pm+)
- 4 of 8 involved being alone
- 3 of 8 involved accepting something from stranger
THE SAFETY RULES THAT ACTUALLY WORK
Based on 3 years and these 8 incidents:
Rule 1: Never accept anything from strangers
- No drinks (scopolamine)
- No papers/cards (drug on surface)
- No "help" at ATMs (robbery setup)
- No "free samples" (drugged)
Rule 2: Don't use phone on street while walking
- Motorbike grabs are instant
- You'll never catch them
- Phone is gone forever
Rule 3: Watch drinks at bars - even "safe" bars
- Watch it being made
- Hold it always
- Bathroom? Finish it first or order new one
Rule 4: Don't walk alone late at night in El Poblado
- Even "safe" streets
- Especially near Parque Lleras
- Solo = target
Rule 5: "Police" doing random checks = fake
- Real cops don't do this
- Ask to go to station
- They'll leave immediately
Rule 6: Check bar bills before paying
- Parque Lleras bars add fake charges
- Question everything
- Be ready to argue or leave
Rule 7: Reinforce apartment security yourself
- Building security is often useless
- Add your own locks
- Make friends with neighbors
Rule 8: Only use Uber/InDriver, never street taxis
- Especially at airport
- Yes, every single time
- No exceptions
THE MEDELLÍN SAFETY REALITY
Good news:
- Most people never experience any of this
- You can avoid 90% of incidents with basic precautions
- The city isn't "dangerous" - it's "requires awareness"
Bad news:
- These incidents ARE common enough that everyone knows someone
- The consequences can be severe ($1,000+ losses, health impacts)
- Prevention is your only real protection (police won't help after)
My experience:
Year 1: Paranoid, stressed, hypervigilant
Year 2: Learned the patterns, relaxed slightly Year 3: Now comfortable but never careless
I love Medellín. I'm staying. But I follow these rules 100% of the time.
CURRENT STATUS (Month 36, November 2024)
Incidents in past 12 months: 0
Why the improvement?
- Moved to Laureles (less tourist-targeted)
- Never go to Parque Lleras area anymore
- Follow all 8 rules religiously
- Only socialize with trusted people
- Hyper-aware of surroundings always
But:
Last week my neighbor got phone grabbed. Two weeks ago my coworking friend got scopolamined. This month someone broke into building (different floor).
It's still happening. Constantly. You just learn to avoid being the target.
THE HONEST ANSWER
"Is Medellín safe?"
Wrong question.
Better question: "Can I follow safety rules 100% of the time?"
If yes → Medellín is fine
If no → Choose somewhere else
These aren't suggestions. They're requirements.
Medellín is beautiful. Weather is perfect. Cost of living is decent (for now). But the safety risk is real and constant.
Come informed. Stay alert. Follow the rules.
Or don't come at all.