Nightmare in Peru
 

Not sure if this is the right spot for this, but wanted to share a harrowing experience my friends are having/recently had in Peru.

http://adventureamericas.wordpress.c...tmare-in-peru/

Not sure if anyone in the community has any advice on how to handle the changing flights when something like this happens. All the travelers' (including a friend of mine) credit cards/documents have been stolen and they are in contact with the American Embassy in Lima. I had thought contacting the credit card company with which the airfare was purchased might be worthwhile because of the travel insurance, but it turns out the airfare was purchased with a debit card.

[Removed by moderator per tos], what I'd be most interested in hearing is advice on helping navigate them out of the country as quickly/safely as possible. So freakin' scary that this could happen.

Thanks,
Court
clmitchell45 at yahoo dot com

Edit: original flights back to the US were Cuzco-LAX on LAN and LAX-SLC on AA.

======================MODERATOR NOTE====================

As of 13 Feb (click for full warning)

My bs detector is real high on this one, way too many inconsistencies and elaborations... and besides, they have a US embassy contact who will help deal with everything including arranging money for these poor folks travelling with:

■Canon Rebel Ti1 DLSR camera, wide angle DSLR lens, two lens filters and three 8 or 16 GB photo cards = $2,000
■iPhone 5 = $600
■Alps Mountaineering Four Season two person backpacking tent = $250
■Women’s Patagonia Primaloft Nano Puff jacket = $200
■Women’s Outdoor Research rain jacket = $150
■Out Door Research snow gators = $120
■Big Agnes Dual Core Primaloft sleeping pad = $200
■700 Peruvian Soles = $350
■Women’s La Sportiva mountaineering boots = $400
■Princeton Tech Head Lamp = $40
■US Passport = $140
■Driver’s license = $25
■Camelback Cloud day back pack = $80
■Miscellaneous clothing = $200

Their story is not remotely believable to someone who travels Peru as I do.

I agree. And I have not found any new in the media about this incident, who seems to be not a little one (if it's true or not exaggerated), since they were surrounded by at least 40 of the men, women, and children of the village trying to kill them :confused:

There have been some sad news this week about missing tourists in the mountains, and one of them fell from the cliff near Inti Punku, at the end of the Inca Trail, dying. But nothing about this incident. Hard to believe it's true.

Besides it's hard to believe the leader is called the Presidente. That reminds me the old terrorist movement. There are still some groups within Peru but the zone where they are is far from Cusco touristic places. Anyway, if I found any reliable source about this episode I'll comment it. Always useful to take care and know about security situation in any place, either Cusco, Times Square, Agra, Buenos Aires or the Nile river. Things may happen everywhere.

Lot of friends and family members from Jackson Hole attesting to the facts here:

http://www.planetjh.com/news/A_109001.aspx

Amazing how these scams work, these poor folks have collected $16000 USD to date, according to the very organized and well-planned site to collect "help".

Also amazing how they found a staffed US Consulate in Cusco haha.

Problem is it creates a false myth about Peru.

As opposed to a true myth? :eek: :p

To me the discussion whether the story is true or not is kind of irrelevant. Instead I would concentrate on the need of using common sense when travelling. When doing strange things like sleeping in a tent in Harlem with valuables (sleeping in remore areas in LatAm is probably "safer"), one never should his wealth, travel without insurance etc. It seems that unfortunately they have done more or less everything that Lonely Planet tells that one is not supposed to do to reduce or the risk of getting robbed will skyrocket regardless of destination.

Anyway, AA might waive the change fee if they have medical certificate proving the need of immediate repatriation (and proving that they are fit to fly). If not, the parents can pay the change fee with CC on the phone...

There are many traveler scams - some true; some not - but we cannot sort them out and it is against our terms of service to solicit funds in this manner.

As I've researched, it appears these travelers have the help they need and are headed to the consulate in Lima today. US Embassy/Consular Services is there to help, so they should be in good hands. I understand they should also have access to the donated funds.

As the details are on this case, it leaves much open to speculation and, as we already are seeing, significant difference of opinion and interpersonal clashes.

We have decided to close this thread at this time. We wish the travelers well.

Regards,
l'etoile
sr. moderator