Criminal gangs posing as official “dengue” fumigators are once again targeting offices and homes in Guadalajara and its environs.
Recent reports suggest men and women wearing uniforms with false IDs, equipped with professional looking spraying gear, are tricking their way into premises with the express purpose of stealing money and items. One business owner reported that several checks were stolen from his office during a recent “phony fumigation.” He said his bank account was cleared out less than one hour after the checks went missing.
Jalisco’s Secretaria de Salud (Health Department) has issued a warning about the gang/s of criminals. Health officials stress that their teams of fumigators do not enter private homes or businesses en masse and only fumigate in public spaces, such as sidewalks, parks. In areas where dengue has been confirmed, a single employee may knock on the door of a property to ask if he/she can check the patio or yard to see if mosquitos may be hatching.
All Secretaria de Salud personnel carry IDs with a phone number that may be called to verify the bearer’s identity.