Conafor Warns of Fraud Targeting Ejidos and Communities in Quintana Roo

Fake official document purporting to be from the National Forest Council, with government logos, used in a fraud scheme against ejidos in Quintana Roo.

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Mexico’s National Forest Commission (Conafor) has warned residents about a fraudulent scheme circulating in communities across the country, including Quintana Roo, since May. The scam uses a fake document bearing government logos to request personal information from ejidos and rural settlements.

The bogus document, numbered 5698/2026 and purportedly from the “National Forest Council,” claims that councilors will tour communities and ejidos to collect names, commissioner details, phone numbers, and addresses. According to the fraudulent notice, the information would be used to prepare a “Technical File” required to grant support for fire prevention, financial resources, and natural resource aid under the “Sustainable Forestry Development Program for Well-being 2026-2030.”

Conafor has explicitly denied the legitimacy of the document and anyone posing as its “councilors.” The agency said it has alerted the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (FGR) to investigate the forgery. “Conafor does not request personal information to grant support and communicates only through official phone numbers and emails,” the agency stated in a social media post. “If you receive a suspicious request, verify the information directly with us.”

In a separate event, Conafor also announced that children who won or received honorable mentions in the “Let’s Paint a Tree” contest in Chetumal were given certificates and a kit featuring Savi, the Forest Squirrel. This state-level award selected works that will represent Quintana Roo in the national phase of the contest.

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By Ana Reyes

Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx