Vehicle fraud schemes in Mexico

Authorities in Mexico have issued warnings regarding various fraudulent vehicle schemes targeting citizens through social media.

In Mérida, the City Council alerted the public to a scam involving fake Facebook advertisements for a “Subasta de Camionetas en Mérida” (Truck Auction in Mérida). The perpetrators used municipal imagery and the government’s name to direct users to an external website, balancebazar.com, which requested deposits and advance payments for vehicles allegedly from the municipal impound lot. The Council stated that legal actions are being initiated.

Separately, the Citizen Council for Security and Justice of Mexico City warned of a scheme known as ‘Creditrampa’. This tactic involves using attractive social media listings with low prices or easy payment terms to lure victims. Fraudsters utilize forged invoices and engine serial numbers to establish legitimacy and pressure victims into making immediate deposits. Reports indicate that 55% of initial contacts occur via Facebook. Beyond financial theft, which has reached as high as 770,000 pesos, authorities warned that victims may be lured to isolated locations for vehicle viewings, risking physical robbery.