Arrested on Vacation

elboriqua · #1 06-05-2008, 02:47 PM

I have heard of scam's where tourists are falsely arrested while on vacation, What can you do in a situation like that??????

elboriqua · #2 06-05-2008, 02:48 PM

Or if you are just arrested in general, what can the embassy do for you?

Lapurr · #3 06-05-2008, 03:00 PM

I got into an argument in Cuba once with a cab driver!! tried to charge us an outrageous amount for a fare....As soon as I mentioned Canadian Embassy, he shut up took what I offered and we never saw him again!

I trust the Canadian Embassy has major pull over the majority! I've never heard of being falsely accused for crimes, but I don't doubt it has happened. Nor is it something I would like to see happen to any tourist.

Dolores · #4 06-05-2008, 03:18 PM

Have heard of a scam... a tourist inquires where to buy drugs. A transaction is agreed upon. The drugs are delivered. The dealer then notifies the police and the tourist is set up for extortion. The drugs are used for the next tourist. Stay away from drugs when visiting the DR.

Bronxboy · #5 06-05-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolores

Have heard of a scam... a tourist inquires where to buy drugs. A transaction is agreed upon. The drugs are delivered. The dealer then notifies the police and the tourist is set up for extortion. The drugs are used for the next tourist. Stay away from drugs when visiting the DR.

Could not have said it better!!!!

Bronxboy · #6 06-05-2008, 03:56 PM

http://www.dr1.com/forums/north-east...ion-sosua.html

Another scam!!!! As told by Bushbaby!!!!

Thanks

catcherintherye · #7 06-05-2008, 03:56 PM

I think it would depend on the country, the crime, the circumstances, the embassy involved, and the amount of political pull you, or your lawyer, has.

In Cuba, since Canada sends a lot of tourists their way, the Canadian Embassy has some major pull, and I'm sure they are willing to use it. Of course, for the US, the opposite is true in Cuba. The US diplomatic mission in Cuba has zero pull, and unless you work for the CIA, there's not much they can or will do for you there.

In the Dominican Republic, while the US Embassy has major pull, they are hesitant to use it in criminal cases that aren't clearly falsified, or that involve a person of some notoriety. Their pull is used mostly for commercial interests, and they are not really interested in expending political capital on criminal cases, aside from ensuring basic representation, and perhaps notifying your family.

I think the best course of action in the DR is to basically stay out of trouble, and don't plan on a whole lot of help from the boys at the US embassy. If it is clearly a falsified case, you might get some relief, but you had better be absolutely certain you are able to prove what you claim, to both the DR authorities and to the US Embassy. Otherwise, I imagine you'd be in for some tough sledding.

This is just my opinion, and you should not confuse anyone's opinion for established fact. Just be careful, have access to a good lawyer, and don't expect to be facing a fair or particularly honorable justice system. Remember, money talks, and things aren't always as they seem.

Rocky · #8 06-05-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronxboyatheart

http://www.dr1.com/forums/north-east...ion-sosua.html

Another scam!!!! As told by Bushbaby!!!!

Thanks

Perhaps you did not fully understand the post, as some details were omitted, but it was not a scam.
The mentioned person posted some sexy pix of a chica on the net without her consent.
She found out and had him arrested.
The case was settled by financial compensation.

Bronxboy · #9 06-05-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky

Perhaps you did not fully understand the post, as some details were omitted, but it was not a scam.
The mentioned person posted some sexy pix of a chica on the net without her consent.
She found out and had him arrested.
The case was settled by financial compensation.

Got it.

Thanks

DomAm · #10 06-20-2008, 11:56 PM

Reminds me of a few years ago when during two different trips I got stopped while driving rented cars - one by Police officers in a patrol car and the other by an armed police impostor in a motorcycle accusing me of traffic infractions and letting me go in exchange for la mordida.

The incident with the Police officers occurred very late at night after a little gambling in the casinos with a friend. Their lights started flashing in a dark, desolate area of the SD Malecon (George Washington Ave.) heading towards Haina. But I continued driving and stopped only after I saw a wachiman guarding an entrance to a gate.

Needless to say, after heavily arguing with them, including unsuccessfully calling my cousin who was a Police Captain at the time, I gave them a few pesos. Afterwards, analyzing what happened and could have happened, I realized I was in mortal danger.