Residents of Ajijic’s Las Salvias neighborhood report being targeted in a recent rash of telephone shakedowns.
The pattern of the scam is the same as the one used to outwit a significant number of local expats several years ago. The victim answers a call from a fluent English speaker identifying himself as a friend or relative who says he is planning to come to the person’s home for a visit. Minutes later he calls back saying he has had an automobile accident or other emergency and needs a quick loan of money. He then asks that the requested amount be deposited in his bank account via Oxxo or a similar commercial outlet.
In three recent cases, the caller knew the names of the husband and wife he was calling, He is also adept at somehow eliciting home addresses, familiar names and other personal information to make himself sound credible. At least one Las Salvias resident sucked in by the tale-of-woe scheme shelled out 5,000 pesos at Oxxo for deposit in a Bancomer account repeated in other calls.
The latest incoming calls from the hoaxer have been registered to cell number 31-5230-8429 and landline 376-150-0298 from Atequiza.
Since Las Salvias is now fully alerted to the deception, the conman may well start hitting other local neighborhoods.