Online Scams & Fraud in Mexico
Even though Robbery or theft in the street or on public transport continues to be the most reported crime in Mexico, online scams are a close second. Cybercrime is mostly handled at the state level, with many states in Mexico having their own cybersecurity teams.
Debit or credit card fraud is one of the most common types of fraud in Mexico with shopping scams coming in second. What else must you know about online scams and fraud in Mexico? Read on to find out where you can report scams, how to get victim support, and some of the most popular scams in Mexico.
Scam Statistics in Mexico
The key statistics on online fraud in Mexico, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance.
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Population | 126 million | 127.5 million | 129 Million | 130 million |
| Internet Penetration | 66% | 72% | 69% | 71% |
| # of Scams | 10.2 Million | 5.5 million | 5.1 million | |
| Scams / 1,000 | 80 | 43 | 41.5 | |
| Money Lost | € 471 million | € 386 million | € 224.15 million | |
| Money Lost / Capita | € 3.69 | € 2.99 | € 1.72 | |
| Money Lost / Report | € 46.18 | € 70 | € 41.92 |
The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.
Where Can I Report a Scam in Mexico?
- The National Guard (Guardia Nacional)- Consumers can file a report here as they have a helpdesk designed for collecting scam reports.
- Consumer Protection Federal Agency (Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor - PROFECO)- Consumers can report fraudulent activities here as they will collect the information and process it for further information.
- Federal Telecommunications Institute (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones - IFT): If the scam involves telecommunications or online services, you may want to report it to the IFT.
How to Report a Scam in Mexico
Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.
- Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report.
- Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
- Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
- Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.
Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.
Scam Victim Support in Mexico
The Victims' Movement in Mexico- Though they majorly focus on victims of organized crime and government corruption, you can reach out to them for assistance and advice.
How to Check for a Scam in Mexico
Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services as well.
- National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Users of Financial Services (CONDUSEF)- You can check investment scams here as they are a government agency that protects consumers of financial services.
- BBB of Mexico- Just like in the US and Canada, you can head to the Better Business Bureau of Mexico to check the legitimacy of a business.
- Mexican Securities and Banking Commission (CNBV)- You can also check for banking and other financial-related scams here.
Anti-Scam Organizations & Consumer Authorities
- The Mexican Internet Association (AIMX)- They raise consumer and
company awareness concerning cybersecurity, as well as pushing for better legislation
Popular Scams in Mexico
Loan app scams
These frauds often use fake lending apps that promise quick, simple loans with cheap interest rates but are really just there to steal customers' financial and personal information.
These loan application scammers frequently demand upfront payments or fees under the guise of processing the loan application. Additionally, they might demand access to the user's bank account or delicate personal data.
When the victim is unable to return the loan—which is frequently for less than what was requested—the lender calls and texts her, making threats that vary from saying they would post altered images of Mara as a thief to raping and killing her family.
It is crucial to conduct extensive due diligence on the lender and carefully study their terms and conditions before committing to any loans if you want to safeguard yourself from loan application scams in Mexico. Additionally, you need to exercise caution whenever a lender asks for money in advance or access to your financial data, and you should never provide them with any private information.
Scam News From Mexico
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As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu
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