India, June 4 -- Americans have been alerted about the dangers of dating apps after multiple kidnappings in Mexico.

Guadalajara, the consul general of the United States, stated that it had verified cases of American nationals being "kidnapped by individuals the victims met on dating apps in recent months in the Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit areas," but that the violence is not confined to a single region.

"Victims and their family members in the United States have at times been extorted for large sums of money to secure their release," the security alert added.

About three out of ten Americans have used a dating app, according to research from the Pew Research Center. One of the most popular methods to meet people is through apps, ...