Extorted in Mexico City: What We Learned & How You Can Avoid It
During our recent trip to Mexico City, we had a stressful encounter by being extorted in Mexico City by police after renting a car from the Mexico City airport. Shortly after leaving, we made a right turn on red after stopping, just like several other cars around us. There were no signs indicating it was illegal, so we didn’t think twice. Unfortunately, the police took a photo of our car with his cellphone and pulled us over, along with another vehicle behind us. That’s when things started to go downhill.
Police Encounter
The officer asked my husband, Steven, for his driver’s license, which we quickly learned was a mistake. He should have held on to it because once the officer had his license, the back-and-forth began. The officer claimed we were in a federal area and demanded a $500 “fine” to be paid directly to him. He refused to issue a ticket, show us any laws, or provide any proof of the violation. It was clear at that moment we were being extorted.
The conversation went on for about an hour. The officer said he would keep Steven’s license for 72 hours if we didn’t pay on the spot, and we would have to retrieve it from another location. Meanwhile, another cop had pulled over the car behind us, but the situation for that driver—who appeared to be a local—seemed much less serious. He was standing next to the other officer staring at our car.
At one point, I started filming, but the police became visibly agitated and demanded that I delete the footage while watching me do it. In the end, we negotiated the “fine” down to 2,000 MXN, which we had to pay via a credit card reader. Interestingly, the officer preferred cash, but we needed what we had left for tolls on our way to San Miguel.
This experience was a hard lesson in what to do (and not to do) when facing police extortion, and we hope sharing our story will help other families avoid a similar situation.
What You Can Do if This Happens to You:
1. Keep Your License and Cash Separate
Don’t hand over your license right away. Holding onto your driver’s license gives you some control in the situation. Also, keep a small amount of cash separate from your main stash so that if you need to, you can show it and say it’s all you have.
2. Request to Go to the Police Station
If an officer demands money, ask to go to the station to pay the fine officially. Corrupt officers often avoid this because they don’t want to spend time going through formal processes.
3. Do Not Offer a Bribe
While the officer may hint or ask for money, don’t be the one to offer a bribe first. This can escalate the situation. Instead, try to negotiate calmly, but avoid directly offering money unless you feel you have no other option.
4. Document What You Can
If you feel safe, try to note the officer’s name, badge number, or vehicle number. I was asked to delete my video, but if possible, discreetly document the encounter. Even taking mental notes can help.
5. Call the Tourist Assistance Line (078)
Mexico has a tourist help line you can call to verify if the officer is legitimate or to ask for assistance. Letting the officer know that you plan to call the line can sometimes deter them from continuing their demands.
6. Stay Calm and Firm
It’s important to stay calm, even though the situation can be stressful. Avoid being overly confrontational, but firmly insist on going through official channels if possible. Staying collected can sometimes deescalate a tense situation.
Final Thoughts
We definitely learned a lot from this experience and will be more cautious in the future. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, stay calm, avoid handing over important documents unless absolutely necessary, and ask to settle any fines at the station. Hopefully, our experience helps other travelers navigate this kind of scenario with more confidence and avoid some of the pitfalls we faced.
By sharing this personal experience, I hope to provide insights and practical advice to help other families avoid these stressful situations while traveling.
More on the Blog:
How much does a week in Mexico City cost as a family of four?
Check out Xochimilco’s Floating Gardens while in Mexico City.
