Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Jim0129]

There's two new scams going on in Tijuana. The first one is being perpetrated by casa de cambios. When a customer approaches and wants to change a larger, odd sum of money, the clerk will count the funds then quote an amount slightly less than what is presented. An amount around $200 mx that will not arouse much alarm. If the customer is sloppy and didn't count his money or isn't paying attention, the clerk gets away with an easy $200 mx or so. If the customer knows the amount presented and objects, the clerk will "accidentally" knock some or all of the bills onto the floor, where the customer can't see them. The clerk will intentionally leave the disputed amount on the floor where it is not visible to the customer, collect the rest, then recount the bills in front of the customer, confirming the undercounted amount. This scam is frequently perpetrated at the casa de cambio on the SE corner of 3ra and Ocampo.

The second scam involves flattening a gringo's tires while waiting in line to cross back to the USA It's been perpetrated in the SY crossing but I'm not sure if it's been adopted at Otay or westward. What the scammers do is drop spikes in front of the tires of stopped vehicles. Once they are run over, tires flatten. Then, conveniently there are Mexicans nearby that point out the flat and offer to install the spare for a fee. They also conveniently have a can of Fix-A-Flat for sale at an inflated price. Only vehicles in the far right lane are targeted as they can conveniently pull off to the right for the repair. All the other lanes are safe as the scammers know that it is too much of a ***** to cross lanes to get to the far right shoulder. If you happen to be in the far right lane, watch carefully as people walk in front of your vehicle.

Your tales are pure BS, specially the one about flat tires, I cross the border 3 to 4 times a week on both crossing and never seen these so called scam artists changing flat tires.

[MongerHunger]

There's two new scams going on in Tijuana. The first one is being perpetrated by casa de cambios. When a customer approaches and wants to change a larger, odd sum of money, the clerk will count the funds then quote an amount slightly less than what is presented. An amount around $200 mx that will not arouse much alarm. If the customer is sloppy and didn't count his money or isn't paying attention, the clerk gets away with an easy $200 mx or so. If the customer knows the amount presented and objects, the clerk will "accidentally" knock some or all of the bills onto the floor, where the customer can't see them. The clerk will intentionally leave the disputed amount on the floor where it is not visible to the customer, collect the rest, then recount the bills in front of the customer, confirming the undercounted amount. This scam is frequently perpetrated at the casa de cambio on the SE corner of 3ra and Ocampo.

The second scam involves flattening a gringo's tires while waiting in line to cross back to the USA It's been perpetrated in the SY crossing but I'm not sure if it's been adopted at Otay or westward. What the scammers do is drop spikes in front of the tires of stopped vehicles. Once they are run over, tires flatten. Then, conveniently there are Mexicans nearby that point out the flat and offer to install the spare for a fee. They also conveniently have a can of Fix-A-Flat for sale at an inflated price. Only vehicles in the far right lane are targeted as they can conveniently pull off to the right for the repair. All the other lanes are safe as the scammers know that it is too much of a ***** to cross lanes to get to the far right shoulder. If you happen to be in the far right lane, watch carefully as people walk in front of your vehicle.

That is some bold "ish" with the tire. In reference to the cambio casas, bros make sure your receipt matches up with your transaction. Rushing thru can distract you in not checking or counting. Don't get shorted bros!

[ClamSlammer]

There's two new scams going on in Tijuana. The first one is being perpetrated by casa de cambios. When a customer approaches and wants to change a larger, odd sum of money, the clerk will count the funds then quote an amount slightly less than what is presented. An amount around $200 mx that will not arouse much alarm. If the customer is sloppy and didn't count his money or isn't paying attention, the clerk gets away with an easy $200 mx or so. If the customer knows the amount presented and objects, the clerk will "accidentally" knock some or all of the bills onto the floor, where the customer can't see them. The clerk will intentionally leave the disputed amount on the floor where it is not visible to the customer, collect the rest, then recount the bills in front of the customer, confirming the undercounted amount. This scam is frequently perpetrated at the casa de cambio on the SE corner of 3ra and Ocampo.

The second scam involves flattening a gringo's tires while waiting in line to cross back to the USA It's been perpetrated in the SY crossing but I'm not sure if it's been adopted at Otay or westward. What the scammers do is drop spikes in front of the tires of stopped vehicles. Once they are run over, tires flatten. Then, conveniently there are Mexicans nearby that point out the flat and offer to install the spare for a fee. They also conveniently have a can of Fix-A-Flat for sale at an inflated price. Only vehicles in the far right lane are targeted as they can conveniently pull off to the right for the repair. All the other lanes are safe as the scammers know that it is too much of a ***** to cross lanes to get to the far right shoulder. If you happen to be in the far right lane, watch carefully as people walk in front of your vehicle.

[WombatEd2]

When returning to USA, the border guys ask if I have anything to declare. Should I declare any Figral (viagra) tablets I bought?Thanks!

Yes. Declare it. And don't try it with any more than what can reasonably called a 90-day supply.

[Captain Solo]

To Stripperman.

You sound funny but are way exaggerating the risks of ATMs in Tijuana. You are scaring the new guys shitless. I have never heard any problems with ATMs around the bar block in La Zonea Norte. Have been drawing cash from ATMS in Tijuana and Mexico for over 20 years but never had a problems. Meanwhile my credit cards were cloned in LA or Riverside, most likely at gas stations. The thieves bought big loads of appliances in Home Depot and various stores in East LA. Damn. Got all bad charges reversed. The stores said they bear half and credit card companies bear half of the loss. No investigation or prosecution.

I think La Zona is probably protected by guys in the cartels, so there are very few petty crimes, but Revolucion is wide open with lots of thieves watching tourists.

[MongerHunger]

Using a debit card in the Tijuana Red Light District at the hotel connected to Tijuana's largest brothel. What could go wrong.

LOL. I try to avoid using bank cards in Tijuana unless it's at a respectable bank branch or ATM.

[StripperMan]

Using a debit card in the Tijuana Red Light District at the hotel connected to Tijuana's largest brothel. What could go wrong.

The great thing about using debit cards in Tijuana is the people are so helpful. If your card gets stuck in the machine, or keeps denying your pin, there will most certainly be someone right there who will help you get your card out and complete your transaction! You'll notice later that the debit card is not your card but one that looks like your card, and you have just shared your pin number with that person.

Or maybe the thieves don't even waste their time with that. Maybe it's all done electronically within the ATM machine to abscond your info, and relay it to some guy in Bakersfield.

[Artisttyp]

The website of Cascadas says there are ATM's in the hotel lobby, is it safe to get money from the ATM there?

Using a debit card in the Tijuana Red Light District at the hotel connected to Tijuana's largest brothel. What could go wrong.

[Captain Solo]

To Gropai.

HK and Cascada always have a few security guys blocking the doors.

Never heard of any incidents at both places. But he ATMs probably charge high terminal fees.

The Scotia ATMs between Adelita and rest Monaco charge only 9 pesos terminal fee.

The website of Cascadas says there are ATM's in the hotel lobby, is it safe to get money from the ATM there?

[Gropai]

The website of Cascadas says there are ATM's in the hotel lobby, is it safe to get money from the ATM there?

[Urfikhan]

I often come back with a trolley from Zona Norte after midnight. San Ysidro to Palm Avenue station (where I park my car). Never a problem, sometimes a homeless man sleeps in the backseat and that's all.

H-Street and Palomar trolley stops are very safe (and have a lot of parking), per a transportation police employee. He ranked palm Ave low in terms of security.

[Dcrist0527]

That is horrible! Itzel was a great girl. Always kind to me.

Her lack of English and my crappy Spanish always made for comical interactions. She was also smart. There was a girl I spent nights with, at Ticuan, Itzel told me to get rid of her. Should have listened to her! LOL.

I too would be surprised if Ricardo was the suspect. Always seemed to be a good and hard-working guy. Hope that he's found and innocent! Thanks for sharing.

If you freguent Hotel Ticuan you may be familiar with the employees in this story.

A little over a week ago Itzel the bar cashier went missing after a night out drinking with other employees of Ticuan. She was last seen leaving a sixth st bar with Ricardo a hotel mesero. Her body was found this past Saturday dismembered and stuffed into a couple suitcases in a rural area. At this time Ricardo is believed to be a suspect and has not been seen since.

While I have seen Itzel many times I have never spoken to her. On the other hand I am quite familier with Ricardo and he is a very nice young man. Not a person you would believe to responsible for such a gruesome murder. Only time will tell if he is also a victim or the suspect.

[Baxter Slade]

If you freguent Hotel Ticuan you may be familiar with the employees in this story.

A little over a week ago Itzel the bar cashier went missing after a night out drinking with other employees of Ticuan. She was last seen leaving a sixth st bar with Ricardo a hotel mesero. Her body was found this past Saturday dismembered and stuffed into a couple suitcases in a rural area. At this time Ricardo is believed to be a suspect and has not been seen since.

While I have seen Itzel many times I have never spoken to her. On the other hand I am quite familier with Ricardo and he is a very nice young man. Not a person you would believe to responsible for such a gruesome murder. Only time will tell if he is also a victim or the suspect.

[StRobert]

If you are comfortable with losing everything and willing to hand over your passport and wallet with no hesitation then no need to take precautions. Because if you hesitate you will end up cut.

I often come back with a trolley from Zona Norte after midnight. San Ysidro to Palm Avenue station (where I park my car). Never a problem, sometimes a homeless man sleeps in the backseat and that's all.

[Travv]

Having a "throwaway" wallet in my pocket and a hidden wallet saved me from losing my passport, credit cards and cash. A couple Rateros jumped me on Constitucion a few months back and as soon as they found my throwaway wallet with a few dollars of coins, they ran off happy. I was happy too despite my sore neck, because they didn't find my stashed passport, cash and cards. Paranoia paid off in Tijuana for me!

A bit paranoid, are we?

Please stop posting paranoid crap.