Officials from Chapala’s district attorney’s office (MP) have issued a warning to lakeside residents who may be subject to attempted telephone extortion ploys.
Over the past two months a number of expat residents have been taken in by an English-speaking caller posing as a personal friend who asks for large sums of money to get him out of legal troubles with Mexican authorities.
An initial call typically sets up the mark as the purported friend announces he is en route for a visit. In a follow-up call the scammer says he has waylaid at the airport for a Customs violation or held by police after a highway accident and needs quick money for a pay-off.
One canny Reporter reader who dodged the trap describes the wording of an exchange intended to set the stage. Notice how the caller tries to get the intended victim to cough up a familiar name.
“I answer hello. A male voice says ‘Hi, how are you?’ I say, ‘Fine thanks.’ He says, ‘You don’t recognize my voice do you?’ I reply, ‘No, but keep talking.’ He says, ‘I am very disappointed you don’t recognize my voice.’ I say, ‘Sorry. Who is this?’ He says, ‘I’m in Vancouver and was planning to come down and visit you, but I am disappointed you do not know who I am.’ I ask, ‘Who do you want to speak to?’ He gives me a name. I say, ‘You have the wrong number.’ He says, ‘Sorry’. I hang up.”
Law enforcement advisories suggest using caller ID to avoid answering calls from unknown parties. Most extortion calls originate from out-of-state area codes. Any call from persons who do not immediately identify themselves and request monetary bailouts is suspect. In such cases, it is best cut off the call at once. If possible, jot down the source’s telephone number and report it to the 089 hotline, the local MP or police headquarters.