South American 'Burglary Tourists' Targeting American Homes Through Online Mapping and Home-Selling Websites

Criminals from Chile are exploiting the visa-waiver agreement between their country and the U.S. to travel to America and burglarize homes, using online resources such as Google Maps and realty websites to plan their break-ins. Authorities and security experts warn homeowners to enhance home security measures and exercise caution when sharing information online.

South American criminals, primarily from Chile, are exploiting a visa-waiver agreement between Chile and the U.S. to stage sophisticated home burglaries across several states, including California, Michigan, and Arizona. These "burglary tourists" leverage the ease of online mapping and home-selling websites to gather detailed information about potential targets, enabling them to meticulously plan their break-ins.

South American 'Burglary Tourists' Targeting American Homes Through Online Mapping and Home-Selling Websites

Authorities have noticed a surge in burglaries where the perpetrators have utilized online platforms to identify and assess potential homes. By exploiting services like Google Maps and Zillow, criminals can easily obtain high-quality aerial footage of properties, interior floor plans, and even 360-degree virtual tours.

Google Maps provides aerial footage of vast geographic areas, allowing criminals to survey neighborhoods and identify homes with desirable characteristics, such as expensive vehicles or secluded locations. Zillow and similar real estate websites showcase detailed interior photos and floor plans, giving burglars an intimate understanding of the property layout, security systems, and points of entry.

South American 'Burglary Tourists' Targeting American Homes Through Online Mapping and Home-Selling Websites

Security experts caution that these online resources can serve as a virtual scouting tool for criminals, revealing vulnerabilities in home security that can be exploited. Criminals can pause and enhance videos to pinpoint security camera locations, locking systems, and escape routes.

To protect against these sophisticated burglary tactics, experts recommend several measures for homeowners:

South American 'Burglary Tourists' Targeting American Homes Through Online Mapping and Home-Selling Websites

* **Install prominent security cameras** and signage for alarm systems outside the home.

* **Befriend neighbors** to keep an eye on your property while you're away.

South American 'Burglary Tourists' Targeting American Homes Through Online Mapping and Home-Selling Websites

* **Restrict the visibility of your home on Google Maps Streetview** by requesting to have it blurred.

* **Limit the amount of information you share online** about your whereabouts and home security measures.

South American 'Burglary Tourists' Targeting American Homes Through Online Mapping and Home-Selling Websites

* **Customize your social media privacy settings** to prevent your vacation or absence from being advertised.

Homeowners who plan to sell their property are advised to exercise caution when creating online listings. Real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com often display detailed interior photos that could provide valuable information to criminals. Experts suggest selectively including photos, avoiding 360-degree videos, and removing photos once the home is sold.

South American 'Burglary Tourists' Targeting American Homes Through Online Mapping and Home-Selling Websites

By adopting these precautions and enhancing home security, individuals can minimize the risk of falling victim to "burglary tourists" and protect their valuable possessions.