State Prosecutor’s Office Probes Million-Peso Auto Fraud in Cancun

Cancun, Quintana Roo — The state prosecutor’s office is investigating a company that sold used cars and financial services after more than 20 people filed complaints of fraud, with losses exceeding 1 million pesos ($52,000).

According to the complaints, the firm CAYLAB, operating as Autosureste by CAYLAB, abandoned its two offices without delivering the promised vehicles. The victims believe the number of affected customers could rise.

The company had offices at the Punta Tulum plaza on Luis Donaldo Colosio Boulevard and at the Canaima plaza on Kabah Avenue. Both locations were emptied without notice last week.

One victim, Sara, said she paid a 35,000-peso down payment for a car that was supposed to be delivered on July 23. When she went to the office, she found it empty and met others in the same situation.

As more customers arrived demanding their contracts be honored, the Punta Tulum plaza management posted a notice stating it had no business relationship with Autosureste and that the company, represented by Gabriel Yahve Suárez Moreno and Brigham García Ceballos, was merely a tenant. The notice directed all claims to the company or authorities.

The victims said they made down payments ranging from 25,000 to 200,000 pesos.

The complaints were filed with the prosecutor’s office’s property crimes unit, where victims handed over contracts and payment receipts. Investigators said the company had leased one of the largest spaces at Punta Tulum about two months ago and operated with about 15 uniformed executives, giving an appearance of formality and trust.