How to Run a Background Check on Your Colombian Date

Let me be direct: if you're a wealthy foreigner dating in Colombia and you're not running background checks, you're gambling with your safety, your money, and your time.

I learned this the hard way. After two years of navigating Bogota's dating scene - and one close call that cost me $8,000 and three months of wasted time - I built a vetting protocol that I now use for every serious prospect.

This guide covers exactly what I do, the vendors I use, and what red flags to look for. It's the same process I recommend to every client who comes to me for matchmaking services.

Why Background Checks Are Non-Negotiable

Colombia has a specific problem that most dating advice ignores: organized scam rings that target wealthy foreigners.

These aren't random opportunists. They're coordinated operations where attractive women build relationships with foreign men - sometimes over months - before executing the scam. The U.S. Embassy in Bogota has issued multiple security alerts about this exact pattern.

A $400 background check can save you from a $50,000 mistake - or worse.

What a Colombian Background Check Actually Reveals

A proper investigation in Colombia can verify:

• Identity confirmation - matching government ID photos to the person you're talking to
• Marital status - whether they're actually single or have a husband they forgot to mention
• Criminal history - arrests, charges, and convictions in Colombian databases
• Address verification - do they actually live where they say they do?
• Employment verification - is their job real or fabricated?
• Financial situation - are they in debt, have judgments against them, or own property?
• Social media cross-reference - do their online profiles match reality?
• Known associates - are they connected to anyone flagged for fraud?

The Three Levels of Vetting

Not every relationship requires the same level of investigation. Here's how I think about it:

Level 1: Basic Verification ($150 - $250)

Use this for anyone you've matched with online before meeting in person.

• -Government ID photo verification
• -Basic criminal records check
• -Social media authentication
• -Reverse image search on profile photos

Turnaround: 2 - 3 business days

Level 2: Standard Investigation ($350 - $500)

Use this once you've been on a few dates and things are getting serious.

• -Everything in Level 1
• -Marital status verification
• -Employment and income verification
• -Address confirmation
• -Civil court records (lawsuits, judgments)

Turnaround: 5 - 7 business days

Level 3: Comprehensive Due Diligence ($800 - $1,500)

Use this before engagement, marriage, or any significant financial entanglement.

• -Everything in Levels 1 and 2
• -Full financial profile (assets, debts, property)
• -Extended family background
• -Reputation inquiries (neighbors, former employers)
• -Immigration history if applicable

Turnaround: 10 - 14 business days

Recommended Investigation Firms

After testing multiple providers over two years, I've identified four firms that consistently deliver quality results for dating verification in Colombia. They range from $200 to $1,200 depending on the depth of investigation.

I've compiled their contact information, pricing breakdowns, and what each firm specializes in into a free guide. It also includes the exact questions to ask investigators and a checklist for evaluating their reports.

Red Flags That Warrant Immediate Investigation

Don't wait for "gut feelings." These specific behaviors should trigger a background check immediately:

• Refuses video calls or always has an excuse (broken camera, bad connection)
• Stories don't add up - job title doesn't match lifestyle, timeline inconsistencies
• Pushes to meet at your hotel or apartment instead of public places
• Asks about your financial situation early in the relationship
• Has an "emergency" requiring money within the first few months
• Friends or family seem suspiciously absent from their life
• Reluctant to share basic information like full name or workplace
• Profile photos look professionally shot or don't match video appearance

DIY Verification Steps

Before paying for a professional investigation, you can do some basic verification yourself:

1. 1. Reverse image search their photos. Use Google Images, TinEye, or Social Catfish. If their photos appear on multiple profiles with different names, walk away.
2. 2. Video call early and often. Scammers using stolen photos can't video call. Insist on it before meeting.
3. 3. Check their social media history. Real people have years of posts, tagged photos with friends, and consistent life narratives. Fake profiles are sparse.
4. 4. Verify their workplace. Look up their employer on LinkedIn or Google. Call the company to confirm they work there.
5. 5. Request their cedula number. Colombian citizens have a cedula (national ID). You can verify basic information through public registries.

The Cost of Not Vetting

I've seen men lose:

• -$15,000 to a "girlfriend" who had a husband the whole time
• -$50,000 in a "business opportunity" introduced by a romantic partner
• -Everything in their wallet after being drugged on a date
• -Six months of their life in a relationship that was a con from day one

A $400 background check is insurance. It's not romantic. It's not trusting. It's smart.