Sinaloa Security Warns of Foreign Nationals Robbing Cards at ATMs, Offering Help to Loot Accounts

The Public Security Secretariat of Sinaloa has issued an alert regarding foreign nationals who are allegedly defrauding bank customers at ATMs. These individuals reportedly position themselves near ATMs in municipalities including Ahome, Culiacán, Guasave, and Mazatlán.

Operating under the guise of helpfulness, these "operators," described as "desplazadores" (movers or displacers), approach bank clients, particularly the elderly who may be alone. They offer assistance with transactions, such as payments or cash withdrawals. During this interaction, they allegedly swap the customer's legitimate card for one of their own, subsequently accessing and emptying the victim's accounts.

To combat this scam, the Secretariat strongly advises bank customers to always be accompanied by someone they trust when using ATMs. They recommend refusing any assistance from strangers and avoiding ATMs located in isolated areas. Furthermore, users are urged to inspect the card slot for any tampering and to diligently shield their PIN entry to prevent observation.