Playa del Carmen Authorities Warn of Car Sale Fraud Using Bad Checks

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Authorities in this popular tourist destination are warning private car sellers about a sophisticated fraud scheme where vehicles are purchased with worthless checks, leaving victims without payment or their automobiles.

The operation involves a group that contacts owners advertising vehicles for sale, negotiates a purchase, builds trust, and then completes the transaction by issuing a check as payment. Once the vehicle changes hands, the deposit either fails to appear in the seller’s account or the check bounces due to insufficient funds.

One individual who reported the scheme said he was recruited to help with logistics, specifically transporting the fraudulently obtained vehicles from Playa del Carmen or other Quintana Roo municipalities to Mexico City. He was offered 4,000 pesos per trip, plus return fare to Quintana Roo, for what was presented as a simple task: receive the already “purchased” car, drive it to the specified destination, and hand it over without direct responsibility for the original transaction.

The recruiter identified himself as “Engineer Eduardo Najera” and made contact through the phone number 1 (972) 139 5860, which corresponds to the Matías Romero Avendaño region in Oaxaca. The operation is promoted under the name “Expo Cancún,” presented as a company.

No arrests have been officially reported in connection with these incidents. However, the alert has prompted concern among private car sellers in Playa del Carmen and surrounding areas, who are now taking extra security measures before finalizing any deals.