Mexico Busts 102 in Massive Call Center Fraud Takedown

Mexican law enforcement delivered a crushing blow to organized fraud this week, arresting 102 people and seizing 67 properties operating as fake call centers across México state. The massive sting, called Operation Disconnection, took down a sophisticated network that had been terrorizing victims through phone scams, loan sharking, and identity theft.

The 46-day investigation united state police with federal agencies including the National Guard, Navy, and National Intelligence Center. Their target was a complex criminal operation disguised as legitimate businesses in the Mexico City metro area.

Criminals ran their schemes from call centers primarily in Ecatepec, Naucalpan, and Nezahualcóyotl, three municipalities surrounding the capital. Using detailed scripts, operators impersonated banks through cloned websites and mass phone calls, creating fake emergencies about suspicious transactions or offering non-existent prizes to steal money and personal data.

The network's reach extended far beyond simple phone fraud. Authorities shut down five predatory loan companies that trapped victims in abusive "gota a gota" (drop by drop) schemes with sky-high illegal interest rates and violent collection tactics. When borrowers couldn't pay, enforcers showed up at homes and workplaces to intimidate and sometimes assault them.

Of the 102 people arrested, 77 are foreign nationals, with 20 from Colombia, six from Venezuela, and two from Cuba among the 50 already formally charged. Investigators also seized 14 drug sales points and 106 other illegal businesses that helped launder money and diversify the network's criminal income.

The Ripple Effect: This takedown is part of Mexico's National Strategy Against Extortion, launched in July 2025 after such crimes spiked 80% over a decade. The coordinated effort shows how federal and state agencies working together can dismantle even the most complex criminal networks. Authorities have established a dedicated hotline (dial 089) where citizens can report extortion attempts, turning everyday people into allies in the fight against fraud.

Every property seized and every arrest made means fewer families living in fear of threatening phone calls and predatory lenders.