Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Travv]

Mexico's market for $10 fake cellphones bought by fearful locals who hand them over in muggings.

"Commuters are turning to a new tactic when tasked with being forced to hand over their cellphones to thieves aboard buses in Mexico City.

The clever residents are now buying fake smartphones as they seek to combat muggers who demand their real handheld devices.

Merchants are selling the 'dummies' that cost 180 to 800 pesos, approximately $10 to $40, in the historic city center.

Public transportation customers have found the fakes to come in handy when trying to fool trigger-happy bandits who regularly attack the buses, big and small, that ferry people from the poorer outlying suburbs to jobs. . . ".

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-muggings.html

[Baxter Slade]

LOL. I did forget that encounter you had with the melt-down nutty cop. On the other hand, it was a very rare event and he didn't take your money for himself. He just wanted to play Robin Hood. Besides the police Captain have you a refund after a hug right?

Yes Jackie you do remember. Hugs from the supervisor and the crooked cops and a refund. And the money in my hands was a bunch of $5 s. But once the cops were gone I realized the wad of $1 bills that I had left in my pocket was missing. I guess that pissed me off enough to report it.

While the most common shakedowns involve making you think you broke the law. Like having an ED pill or drunk in public. Then they request you can make the problem go away with a bribe. If they don't have anything on you then to secretly relieve you of a 20 or some amount they think you might not notice is common. And then as you stated not that common but there are those rouge thieves masqurading as Tijuana police who will outright rob you.

[TomJackin]

How do I call O78 from my US MetroPCS phone with Mexico calling. ? MetroPCS sales person told that the 3 digit numbers cannot be dialed. Or is there another number for Tourist Assistance. ?

You should be able to dial 078 and 911.

I have done it twice, but I have T Mobile. I tested it once and used it when I was about to be shaken down for no reason.

Just dial it when in Tijuana and see if it works.

[Hargow20]

How do I call O78 from my US MetroPCS phone with Mexico calling. ? MetroPCS sales person told that the 3 digit numbers cannot be dialed. Or is there another number for Tourist Assistance. ?

Even faster, call 078 the tourist assistance line and tell the monkey police that you need help understanding why you were stop.

[TomJackin]

Perhaps the best thing to do is immediately call the Tijuana Sindicatura del Gobierno Municipal if you are being stopped for no good reason.

Even faster, call 078 the tourist assistance line and tell the monkey police that you need help understanding why you were stop.

[Hargow20]

Perhaps the best thing to do is immediately call the Tijuana Sindicatura del Gobierno Municipal if you are being stopped for no good reason.

LOL. I did forget that encounter you had with the melt-down nutty cop. On the other hand, it was a very rare event and he didn't take your money for himself. He just wanted to play Robin Hood. Besides the police Captain have you a refund after a hug right?

[Jackie888]

Maybe you never read my story were the cop became very angry I was holding the money in my hand. He actually started yelling you think I want your money. Ha ha ha. He then pulls out his wallet and shows me all his money and says you think I want your stinkin money. He then proceeds to grab money out of my hand and pass it out to people on the street to show me he doesn't need my money.

While this was far from the normal shakedown which Jackie described. You get a far to brazen asshole and anything can happen. At least in this case the outright theft of my money allowed me to call the emergency number and report him and a short time later my money was returned to me.

LOL. I did forget that encounter you had with the melt-down nutty cop. On the other hand, it was a very rare event and he didn't take your money for himself. He just wanted to play Robin Hood. Besides the police Captain have you a refund after a hug right?

[Bushes]

FWIW, I hide a couple big bills in not so usual places and the rest in smaller bills to pay off a corrupt police if necessary. Again smaller bills spread out and not all in wallet. I also only carry one card. Taking the cash out before handing the wallet is a good idea. But I usually keep less than 40 so it is not a big deal.

As for skimming cards, the good thing is that if your financial institution is US your are mostly covered. But it will take time.

I was actually surprised a US customs guy in NY got caught palming bills during searches. But they did watch him for several months so many people lost money. Then again, in flight thefts and bill switching is getting more common. TSA and checked baggage theft is quite common. I read one TSA guy actually used an access panel to pilfer stuff in bags.

Relax. Enjoy your trip

And for that matter, has anyone had anything shady happen with the ATMs at Hotel Cascadas? I used it last time no problem, and I was very happily surprised how professional and accommodating the business was -- but I fear having my card copied. This actually happened the first time I went to Zona -- but like a dumbass I used one of the ATMs outside on the street. Was just curious if using the ATMs inside Hotel Cascadas was a red flag?

And last question, what's everyone's system for carrying around some extra money just in case they lose their wallet? Like an extra 20 or 40 bucks hidden in their sock or something.

Really any tips for minimizing potential police shakedowns would be helpful haha. I like to have a system in my head going in. Thanks a lot, this forum has been greatly beneficial and I appreciate all your advice.

.

[Hargow20]

Police will say they need to search your wallet. Insist that you hold your money in your hands. I have been searched by police 2 or 3 times and they will relent once you insist. If you see the cops hanging out on the street it is a good idea to walk on the other side especially if there not many people around. The police tend to hang out on the west end of the alley and search people.

Those are some good questions KGB. If you have a room yes wise to leave a good chunk of money hidden in the room or use the safe if the room has one.

Your percentage of a shakedown goes way down if you don't wander away from the main bar area. And avoid being out in the wee wee hours and early morning. Occaisionly I have been hearing of taxis getting stopped and gringos getting robbed by the police. One thing I think may help is to always sit in the front. I guess that makes you look less touristy.

As far as protecting your money, yes you should try to hold it in your hand. That will work in many cases, but if you get an overly aggresive cop it may not. I have heard they will sometimes ask you how much many you have don't guess to low or they will help you get a more accurate count. Some have tried to call the tourist assistance line during a shakedown and that seems to help and they will often back off.

Hiding money works sometimes, just depends how thourogh the search is. I have had a pocket sewn into the inside of my pants. One search they went right to it WTF.

[ScatManDoo]

All of the Tijuana shakedown experiences I've ever read about is a cop will silently "lift" a $20 from a usually drunk guy while searching him..

You probably need to do more reading Jackie.

Stoies of policia misconduct of this type is plentiful on many monger websites. Policia steal hundreds of dollars from their victims sometimes, not just lifting a $20 bill. And they employ a number of different tactics on both sober and drunk individuals.

[Baxter Slade]

All of the Tijuana shakedown experiences I've ever read about is a cop will silently "lift" a $20 from a usually drunk guy while searching him.

Maybe you never read my story were the cop became very angry I was holding the money in my hand. He actually started yelling you think I want your money. Ha ha ha. He then pulls out his wallet and shows me all his money and says you think I want your stinkin money. He then proceeds to grab money out of my hand and pass it out to people on the street to show me he doesn't need my money.

While this was far from the normal shakedown which Jackie described. You get a far to brazen asshole and anything can happen. At least in this case the outright theft of my money allowed me to call the emergency number and report him and a short time later my money was returned to me.

[Jackie888]

Hey guys,

Planning my third trip to Tijuana next month. My previous two trips have been nothing less than magical. That said, I hear how common it is to be shaken down by municipal cops. Generally speaking, I'm relatively smart about my behavior and always aware of my surroundings. However, I understand that dealing with crooked cops is so common that it's bound to happen eventually. So my question is, assuming I'm not doing anything legit illegal, what is the best way to deal with a cop? I read that it's good to keep your cash in your hand when they ask for your wallet. And if they shake you down, do they usually just take something out of your wallet, or are you expected to offer them a certain amount of cash?

My only concern is when we go to Hong Kong, I usually take a couple hundred bucks. More if it's multiple days. I suppose I could just keep excess cash tucked away in my bag in the hotel room. I just fear a cop catching me when I have 200-300 bucks on my way there and losing it. But maybe the answer is to just keep what I need on me and the rest in my bag hidden in my hotel..

All of the Tijuana shakedown experiences I've ever read about is a cop will silently "lift" a $20 from a usually drunk guy while searching him. If you put all of your cash in one hand, and raise them high where everyone can see them, a cop isn't stupid enough to search the cash because there are too many witnesses and it's obvious that he's stealing.

It's not a classic TV shakedown where a cop puts a barrel up your nostril and takes your wallet. That's not how a Tijuana shakedown takes place and unfortunately the shakedown term scares some mongers into doing weird things like tossing his money to the ground and run when stopped by a Tijuana cop.

Generally I put all my cash in my left front pocket, and my left hand always on it unless I'm sitting down which blocks pocket entry. My intent is to protect it from pickpocketers, sticky finger waiters and Chicas. And cops should I ever be unlucky enough to meet a sticky finger cop.

[KGB1234]

Thanks for the advice. All has been notes. Yes, I read that it's wise to put the internal investigation number and / or tourist assistance number in your wallet in plain sight. Just to show you're aware of it. Thanks man!

Those are some good questions KGB. If you have a room yes wise to leave a good chunk of money hidden in the room or use the safe if the room has one.

Your percentage of a shakedown goes way down if you don't wander away from the main bar area. And avoid being out in the wee wee hours and early morning. Occaisionly I have been hearing of taxis getting stopped and gringos getting robbed by the police. One thing I think may help is to always sit in the front. I guess that makes you look less touristy.

As far as protecting your money, yes you should try to hold it in your hand. That will work in many cases, but if you get an overly aggresive cop it may not. I have heard they will sometimes ask you how much many you have don't guess to low or they will help you get a more accurate count. Some have tried to call the tourist assistance line during a shakedown and that seems to help and they will often back off.

Hiding money works sometimes, just depends how thourogh the search is. I have had a pocket sewn into the inside of my pants. One search they went right to it WTF.

[Travv]

Well, for those determined not to lose their money to the cops, there is the tried and true method shown in the movie, Papillon. For those who haven't watched the movie, here's a hint: Mayor Pete Buttplug.

Those are some good questions KGB. If you have a room yes wise to leave a good chunk of money hidden in the room or use the safe if the room has one.

Your percentage of a shakedown goes way down if you don't wander away from the main bar area. And avoid being out in the wee wee hours and early morning. Occaisionly I have been hearing of taxis getting stopped and gringos getting robbed by the police. One thing I think may help is to always sit in the front. I guess that makes you look less touristy.

As far as protecting your money, yes you should try to hold it in your hand. That will work in many cases, but if you get an overly aggresive cop it may not. I have heard they will sometimes ask you how much many you have don't guess to low or they will help you get a more accurate count. Some have tried to call the tourist assistance line during a shakedown and that seems to help and they will often back off.

Hiding money works sometimes, just depends how thourogh the search is. I have had a pocket sewn into the inside of my pants. One search they went right to it WTF.

[Baxter Slade]

Those are some good questions KGB. If you have a room yes wise to leave a good chunk of money hidden in the room or use the safe if the room has one.

Your percentage of a shakedown goes way down if you don't wander away from the main bar area. And avoid being out in the wee wee hours and early morning. Occaisionly I have been hearing of taxis getting stopped and gringos getting robbed by the police. One thing I think may help is to always sit in the front. I guess that makes you look less touristy.

As far as protecting your money, yes you should try to hold it in your hand. That will work in many cases, but if you get an overly aggresive cop it may not. I have heard they will sometimes ask you how much many you have don't guess to low or they will help you get a more accurate count. Some have tried to call the tourist assistance line during a shakedown and that seems to help and they will often back off.

Hiding money works sometimes, just depends how thourogh the search is. I have had a pocket sewn into the inside of my pants. One search they went right to it WTF.