# Passport appointment fraud in Mexico > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/passport-appointment-fraud-in-mexico > Updated: 2026-08-16T23:53:19.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. The Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and regional authorities have issued warnings regarding fraudulent schemes targeting passport applicants. Initial alerts from the SRE focused on cloned websites that mimic the official appointment portal to deceive users into making payments via bank transfers or convenience stores. The agency clarified that official payments must only be made through authorized bank windows or personal electronic banking, stating, “Realiza previamente el pago de derechos en ventanilla bancaria o a través de banca electrónica. IMPORTANTE: No pagues tu pasaporte en tiendas de conveniencia ni realices depósitos en cuentas bancarias personales.” Subsequent warnings from state and municipal authorities, including the State Cyber Police in Coahuila and officials in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, highlighted that these criminals use social media advertisements and slightly altered domain names to steal personal and financial information. Authorities emphasized that scheduling appointments is a free service and warned citizens against paying intermediaries for services provided at no cost by the government. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-16: Mexico authorities warn of passport fraud and fake websites Mexican authorities are warning citizens against passport fraud involving fake websites and illegal intermediaries charging for free appointment services. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-authorities-warn-of-passport-fraud-and-fake-websites ### 2026-07-31: Mexico's Foreign Ministry warns of passport appointment fraud sites Mexico's SRE warns that fake websites are copying its passport appointment portal to steal payments; only www.citas.sre.gob.mx and www.gob.mx are official. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-foreign-ministry-warns-of-passport-appointment-fraud-sites --- Cite as: Passport appointment fraud in Mexico. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/passport-appointment-fraud-in-mexico