The State Department is committed to assisting U.S. citizens who become victims of crime while abroad.  We help in two ways:

• Overseas: consular officers, agents, and staff work with crime victims and help them with the local police and medical systems.
• In the United States: our office of Overseas Citizens Services will stay in touch with family members in the United States, and help provide U.S.-based resources for the victim when possible.

If you are the victim of a crime overseas:

• Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate:
  • Consular officers are available for emergency assistance 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
  • Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas can be found here or by going to our individual Country Specific Information pages.
  • To contact the Department of State in the U.S.
  • Contact the local police to report the incident and get immediate help.  Request a copy of the police report.