Overview
- Mexican cyber units in Sonora and Mexico City issued fresh alerts for Semana Santa after detecting more fake travel deals and rental offers online.
- Scammers place sponsored ads, clone booking sites, impersonate agencies, demand upfront bank transfers, send fake confirmations, then cut off contact.
- The Citizen Council reports that 58% of fraudulent offers appear on the internet and often mimic brands like Volaris, Booking, Riu Hotels or Aeroméxico to win trust.
- Recorded losses this year range from about 5,000 pesos to more than 2 million pesos, and most victims seek help only after paying, which makes recovery unlikely.
- Authorities urge checks with Profeco and the Tourism Secretariat, advise against paying into personal accounts, and list reporting channels including CDMX’s Mi Policía app, policia.cibernetica@ssc.cdmx.gob.mx, 55 5242 5100 ext. 5086, and Sonora’s 800 77 242 37.