Maaron1, if the people who become victims on their vacations anywhere could just post their pictures or let us hear their voice, you would understand why they have victim written all over them. Over the years I have met guys who wanted to meet me in santiago for a chat and tips, were not your average joe from NYC. One older man comes to me, he looked like a banker (very elegant man). We were in monumento area and he points at a local girl from a barrio. She was there looking for some guy for quick cash and he happen to stumble upon her. I called the girl over to introduce him to my american friend, hoping he would get his rocks off and move on. I was surprised to see he chose her, he could have had any girl in santiago. Needless to say, he fell in love with her after the first sex and maybe married with her by now. How long would it be before she cleans him up good or cheats on his back when he is in USA? Another man begged me to give him some advice on a local girl (from barrio of-course). he was also american. When I met him, I found he had nail polish on every nail on his fingers. I also ran into some people I knew (patients). I hope they didn't think I was on a hot gay date. What do you think will happen to this man when he is walking hand in hand with a barrio girl in a dangerous barrio?
Then you have guys who send me messages and call me to ask for advice on how to get away from a hooker who has his baby and cleaning him out of cash and threatening him with violence etc.
Like people say. , you sleep with dogs, you will wake up with a flees or worse, a disease. yes, good decent folks can become victim anywhere but the majority of expats, tourists in DR fall victims because they either were in the wrong company, in the wrong place or just were not taking any precautions. Some have no common sense at all.
So keep your heads up and stay clear of shady people. You will be just fine.
AZB