Beware: Quintana Roo Loan Scams on Social Media

QUINTANA ROO, Mexico — The National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Users of Financial Services (Condusef) has issued an alert to users in Quintana Roo regarding a significant increase in loan scams, primarily conducted through social media platforms. The agency detailed that the state is one of the locations where this type of crime is frequent.

Óscar Rosado, president of Condusef, stated that these supposed lenders often create fake profiles that mimic legitimate financial institutions to gain the trust of users seeking loans. However, they then request upfront deposits and personal information, which is subsequently used to commit fraud and identity theft before the perpetrators disappear.

"Something that happens a lot in Quintana Roo is that people see ads on social media that say they will give you a quick loan without checking your credit bureau report. The interested parties go through the process without knowing they are falling for fake financial companies," he warned.

The agency confirmed that this type of deception has seen a considerable increase in the state, posing a risk to family economies and primarily affecting individuals seeking immediate solutions to cover debts. It added that there are no official numbers for these cases because they must be reported to the Attorney General's Office.

For its part, the Cyber Police reported last week the filing of complaints for 11 cases of e-commerce fraud, 8 cases of "Nigerian fraud" or advanced fee scams, and 7 cases of identity theft.

The interviewee recommended that the public consult the System of Registry of Financial Service Providers before contracting any service, avoid providing sensitive data through digital platforms, and immediately report any suspicious offer to prevent further harm.

"Things are not magical, nor do free things exist. The best advice I can give to combat fraud on the internet is to be distrustful; something that is painted to be very beautiful cannot be real," he concluded.