Amid rising fraud, experts urge governments and private sector to improve biometric system use

Experts are calling for governments and private companies in Mexico to significantly improve and expand the use of biometric systems to counter a surge in fraud, bank scams, and extortion. Rodrigo Ramos, a director at Identy.io, a company specializing in biometric security, emphasized the need for enhanced regulation and wider adoption of this technology.

Ramos noted that while Mexico is making progress in biometric regulation, particularly in transportation hubs like airports, more advancements are needed across both public and private sectors. He stressed that clearer regulations would lead to more coordinated and effective efforts, moving beyond discretionary implementation.

Data from the National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Users (Condusef) indicates a worrying trend. By 2026, an estimated 16 million Mexicans could fall victim to digital fraud, an increase from the 13.5 million cases recorded last year. Bank fraud alone has seen a 32% year-over-year growth in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Bureau of Commercial Entities of the Commission.

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In Mexico, regulation is advancing to increase security through biometrics, for example, I have seen it in airports and other important transport infrastructures. But more regulation and more progress are needed in the adoption of this technology both in the private sector and in government areas.

"The regulation in Mexico is advancing, but many steps are needed to fully address the problem," Ramos stated. He warned of increasingly sophisticated attacks, even targeting biometric data. This concern is amplified by the rise of SIM swapping in Mexico, a method used to steal phone chips and impersonate individuals to bypass security measures, including those used by banks.

While the government promotes a national campaign to link mobile phone numbers to user identities, experts believe more robust efforts are required. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) has extended deadlines for phone number registration, aiming to reduce anonymity and combat cyber insecurity. The recent sanction of the Mexican Football Federation with a 42.8 million peso fine for mishandling user data, including biometric information, from its Fan ID system underscores the critical need for stricter data protection and consent protocols.

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Regulation in Mexico is advancing, but many steps are needed to fully address the problem. Not all companies are looking for the best option in these cases, and there should always be maximum filters and security capabilities. We have seen that there are already very sophisticated attacks even with biometrics.