Mexico
Scam and fraud reporting in Mexico
If you've been scammed or suspect fraud in Mexico, report it right away — the Policia Cibernetica (088) handles cybercrime, Profeco handles consumer complaints, and CONDUSEF covers financial fraud. Acting quickly improves your chances of recovery.
If you have been scammed
- 1Record the phone number, message, listing, or payment details before they are lost.
- 2If you were pressured into sending money or giving personal details, stop all contact with the scammer immediately.
- 3File a report with the Policia Cibernetica (088 hotline) for cyber-enabled fraud, or Profeco for consumer complaints.
- 4Change passwords on any compromised accounts and enable two-factor authentication.
Think it might be a scam?
- 1Search the company or person's name plus "estafa" to check for reports from other people.
- 2Verify any business through the Mexican business register at rpc.economia.gob.mx.
- 3Contact the organisation directly using a number from their official website, not the one you were given.
- 4Check CONDUSEF fraud alerts at condusef.gob.mx for current scam patterns targeting Mexican consumers.
Where to report fraud
Official reporting channels in Mexico
Profeco (Consumer Protection Agency)
File a complaint with Profeco
Official Mexican consumer protection agency for filing complaints about fraudulent businesses, misleading advertising, and consumer fraud.
Guardia Nacional — Policia Cibernetica
Report cybercrime (call 088)
Mexican National Guard cyber police unit. Call 088 to report phishing, online fraud, identity theft, and other cybercrime.
CONDUSEF
Report financial fraud to CONDUSEF
National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Users of Financial Services — report banking fraud, unauthorised transactions, and financial scams.
Scam index
Scams affecting people in Mexico
14 scams tracked
Xbox account compromise scam
Scammers contact Xbox players claiming their account has been compromised, asking for login details or payment to restore access.
Never share your password or two-factor codes with anyone — Xbox Support will never ask for them.
Gamers
U.S.
timeshare presentation lure scam
Travelers are lured to high-pressure timeshare sales presentations with promises of free gifts, cheap vacations, or prize money, then subjected to aggressive tactics to sign expensive contracts.
Never sign a timeshare contract on the same day — take the documents home and review them with a lawyer.
Travelers
U.S.
rental car bait-and-switch scam
Third-party booking sites advertise rental cars at prices far below market, then add hidden fees at pickup or provide a lower-class vehicle while charging for the reserved one.
Book rental cars directly from established companies (Hertz, Enterprise, Avis) or through well-known platforms like Kayak or Google Flights.
Travelers
U.S.
fake resort booking scam
Scammers create fake resort websites or impersonate real luxury resorts to sell nonexistent vacation packages, leaving travelers without accommodations after paying thousands.
Verify resort bookings by calling the property directly using a phone number found through an independent search, not the one on the booking confirmation.
Travelers
U.S.
Airbnb experience host scam
Fake or misleading Airbnb Experiences are listed by scam hosts who collect payment for tours, classes, or activities that either do not happen or are drastically different from what was advertised.
Book Experiences with hosts who have multiple verified reviews and a track record on the platform.
Tourists
U.S.
timeshare resale scam
A company contacts timeshare owners claiming to have a buyer ready to purchase their timeshare but requires upfront fees that are never recovered.
Never pay upfront fees to sell a timeshare — legitimate resale companies charge commissions only after a sale closes.
Timeshare owners
U.S.
free vacation presentation scam
Consumers are lured with a free vacation or gift in exchange for attending a timeshare presentation that uses extreme high-pressure sales tactics.
Know your state's rescission period before attending — most states allow cancellation within 3 to 15 days of signing.
Vacationers
U.S.
all-inclusive bait-and-switch vacation scam
A vacation package advertised as all-inclusive turns out to exclude key amenities, meals, or activities that are then charged as expensive extras.
Request a detailed written list of exactly what is included before booking.
Vacationers
U.S.
resort prize trip scam
A notification claims you won a free resort stay, but the trip is a cover for a high-pressure timeshare sales pitch with hidden costs.
Remember that legitimate sweepstakes do not require payment or attendance at a sales event to claim a prize.
Vacationers
U.S.
fake Uber driver at airport scam
Imposters posing as Uber drivers approach travelers at airports, offering rides in unmarked vehicles and charging inflated fares or, in worst cases, committing robbery.
Always request your Uber through the app and verify the driver's name, photo, car make/model, and license plate before getting in.
Travelers
U.S.
Airbnb bait-and-switch property scam
Guests book an appealing property on Airbnb but upon arrival, the host claims an issue and moves them to a significantly inferior property with no refund option.
Contact Airbnb support immediately if a host tries to relocate you — do not accept a switch without Airbnb's involvement.
Travelers
U.S.
deepfake kidnapping ransom video scam
Criminals create AI deepfake videos of a victim's family member appearing to be in distress or captivity, then demand ransom payment for their safe release.
Hang up and immediately try to contact the supposedly kidnapped family member directly.
Parents
U.S.
MLM recruitment scam
Pyramid schemes disguised as multi-level marketing opportunities focus primarily on recruiting new participants rather than selling actual products, with the vast majority of members losing money.
Request and review the company income disclosure statement before joining, paying attention to what percentage of participants earn a profit
Job seekers
U.S.
MLM travel club recruitment scheme
A travel company sells memberships through an MLM structure where the real product is the recruitment opportunity, not discounted travel, and most members never recoup their membership fees.
Compare the travel deals offered to prices on public booking sites like Kayak, Google Flights, or Booking.com.
Travelers
U.S.
Cities
Scam reports by city in Mexico
Other countries