Fraud / Crime in Tijuana and Other Warnings and Dangers

Warnings and Dangers in Tijuana Fraud / Crime

Tijuana has a reputation for being a high crime area, but there are a lot of reasons to still go there. People who live in the area go there often and have little trouble. There is a lot of crime however, and there are many con artists who are going to pull off fraud if given the opportunity. Here are some fraud crime in Tijuana and other warnings and dangers information.

Pickpockets and Other Theft

Petty crimes are the most common, but even those can turn violent. There are stories of people getting hit or stepped on as a distraction while their wallet is being stolen. There are also stories of self-appointed tour guides in the red zone who befriend people and even offer help. This is done to win your trust, and eventually they manage to lure you away from the crowds where they rob you. These are two very common ways of stealing in Tijuana. The most common fraud is befriending someone and then taking advantage of them.

Currency Exchange Fraud

It has been reported that currency exchange booths at the airport are operating a scam. They short change people, and the Mexican police are in on the racket. They keep the victim occupied until it is time for the flight, and then there is not time to do anything about it. It is best then to avoid doing currency exchange on the Mexican side at the airport.

Taxis

Taxi drivers descend on tourists offering rides, and they will drive further than they need to in order to increase the fare. Some drivers will go in circles, especially if they think you don’t know the area. This one is relatively harmless other than wasting some money, but watch out for fake taxis that have more dangerous crimes in mind. There are robbers and even kidnappers disguised as taxi drivers that are around at times. On the positive side, if you know the language and the area, you can do well with a taxi. Bargaining over prices is considered the norm in Tijuana, so you should never pay the original asking price, and that includes anything, not just taxi rides.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about warnings and dangers in Tijuana fraud / crime.