Winter temptations can lead to trouble

The fall winds are chilly prompting dreams of a tropical beach and perhaps more.

This is the time of year when North American men are stirred by fantasies of dark eyed beauties worshipping them across the rims of coconut-based beverages. This also is the time when certain groups of men begin planning what is mendaciously described to spouses as salt water fishing trips.

Alas, the reality is much grimmer than the dream as hundreds of men and a few women prepare for their roles as the modern unskeptical innocents abroad.

Yes, it is true that there are places in Latin lands where lovely ladies stand around with the hopes of a meeting and intimacies with First World men. There even are websites where a date with a Latin or Asian woman can be confirmed before travel. Just pick the country and there are many websites on this topic, including tips for the predatory males.

The truth is that yes, a North American man can find true love and a loyal life partner during a foreign visit. Some have. Statistically he may also win the Powerball lottery. Just like in the parable of the lady or the tiger, many, many doors hide a vicious tiger.

In Latin America the courts generally favor women and North Americans do not always get a fair shake. Men might be surprised that a woman who claims to have been impregnated might cause a court to forbid a man’s exit from the country absent the posting of a massive financial security, perhaps as much as $150,000 U.S. This is a form of child support. So Romeo better have job at home he can work remotely until retirement.

Usually the sexiest man in the room is the one carrying a U.S. passport. Consequently the man who was a loser in high school might find himself surrounded and sought after by women far above his usual selection. Then, too, many Latin countries have legalized prostitution, and a transaction for love is as easy as buying a hamburger.

There is a long list of North Americans who brought a new Latin love to his apartment only to find

A.) her armed boyfriend is close behind,

B.) that the drink she prepared contains knockout drops, or

C.) she’s a do-it-yourself type with a sharp blade. And the police the next day will be less than sympathetic.

Many young Latin girls are encouraged by their mothers to make money for the household. They can be seen lurking near top hotels or fancy bars. Such establishments usually check the identity and age of younger women who enter because some countries are strict about the age of consent, which may be as young as 16 years.

So a man who enters into conversation with an underage lurker might suddenly find himself facing a local criminal charge. He is unlikely to last more than a day or two in the vicious local prison environment.

The United States also can prosecute certain activities abroad. Says the U.S. Department of State: “U.S. law indicates that it is a crime when a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has sex with someone under the age of 18 in a foreign country. This crime can be prosecuted in the United States.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation goes even further. In the past the agency has maintained a fake website and travel agency to entrap potential violators. The website promoted sex tourism to Costa Rica and asked users to mark the age groups of women they would like to meet. Those who marked an age group under 18 were picked up as they boarded an aircraft for departure. One Florida man eventually got 10 years.

Certainly there are informants who work on the ground in Latin America and Asian countries who provide tips to local or U.S. law enforcement. Costa Rican judicial agents have been known to follow a U.S. citizen around for three days in hope of an arrest.

The basic rule of life is that if it is too good to be true it probably is. So First Worlders seeking to exploit latin lovelies might be making a major life altering decision.