Condusef Warns of WhatsApp ‘Likes’ Scam in Quintana Roo

Quintana Roo, Mexico — The National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Services Users (Condusef) in Quintana Roo has warned of a new fraud scheme: a WhatsApp scam in which cybercriminals offer payments to users for interacting with digital products or publications.

Karina Sandoval García, the agency’s delegate in the state, said scammers add victims to messaging groups without their consent. As bait, they make small deposits after users complete simple tasks, creating a false sense of security. Later, they encourage victims to transfer larger sums by promising extraordinary returns.

Sandoval García described the scheme as unfolding in four steps:

• Step 1: The contact. Victims are added to a WhatsApp group without permission, under the guise of a job offer.
• Step 2: The hook. They receive a small real payment for clicking on links or products.
• Step 3: The trap. They are asked to transfer large amounts of money in exchange for inflated returns.
• Step 4: The theft. Withdrawals are blocked and the victim discovers the platform is a phantom company.

“Unfortunately, there are cases in which they make a minimum payment, and after that they start tempting people to make other types of operations or investments with supposed higher profits. It’s a hook so that people end up losing their assets,” Sandoval García said.

The official clarified that Condusef has not received any formal complaints about this scheme in Quintana Roo so far, but said it is essential to alert the public. She explained that the model evolves into fake financial platforms that promise risk-free dividends. However, when users try to withdraw large sums, they discover they were dealing with unauthorized shell companies.

To protect household finances, Condusef recommends the following digital security measures:

• Leave the group: Exit immediately any chat you were added to without prior authorization.
• Zero interaction: Avoid replying to messages from unknown numbers or international prefixes.
• Be wary of "easy money": Ignore offers that guarantee quick profits or guaranteed returns with no risk.
• Verify institutions: Before investing, consult the official registry of regulated financial entities at Condusef.