An alleged car wrecker confessed in an interview how this criminal network operates on the streets of Mexico City: from the way they pretend to be ordinary drivers to the digital tools they use to select their victims.
The goal is to locate uninsured cars to extract between 10,000 and 50,000 pesos from their owners for an “accident.” And here at Unotv.com, we share it with you.
How do car wreckers operate on the streets of Mexico City?
As revealed in a series of videos by TikToker Yulay Real, the car’s appearance is key. If the car is well-maintained, they take it as an indication that the owner has money.
Then, they check the license plates in the Public Vehicle Registry (Repuve) app to obtain the serial number and, with that information, consult the AMIS (Mexican Association of Insurance Institutions) database.
“We don’t hire cars with insurance because the insurance doesn’t pay as well as the person can afford. In an accident, the person can give you 15,000 pesos, the insurance can give you 7,000 pesos. It’s not convenient for us; they don’t pay you right away,” he confessed.
How do they fake the accident?
He explained that six people work in a bumper-to-bumper act, plus co-pilots, who are usually women, to make it appear they’re traveling with a friend or relative. They use a second car that mimics the victim’s movement:
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They flash high beams at him or force him to change lanes.
When he gets behind the bumper-to-bumper car, they fake sudden braking (“we tie ourselves up”) or hit him from the side to simulate a crash.
People who are intoxicated, easier to apply
He also pointed out to content creator Yulay Real that when they see a person who is intoxicated, it’s easy to trick them.
“Their insurance doesn’t protect them. Even if they have the best insurance, they’re easy prey. You see them and you hit them no matter what; it’s the word of someone who comes out in court against a person who comes in drunk. They simply won’t believe you,” he noted.
What time do they operate?
They mainly operate between 3:00 and 4:00 PM, “when there starts to be a lot of traffic, because there are people leaving the office,” he said.
Recommendations to avoid being hit by a bumper-to-bumper:
The Mexico City Citizen Security Secretariat (SSC) offers some advice on how to respond to this type of incident:
Put vehicles in a place that does not obstruct traffic.
Remain calm and stay inside the car.
After a traffic incident, notify your insurance agent and provide them with your location.
If any of those involved exhibits aggressive behavior, immediately call 911 or 55 5208 9898 at the Secretary’s Contact Unit.
Avoid agreeing to a monetary settlement for potential damage to vehicles without the presence of insurance personnel or law enforcement.
If necessary, file a complaint with a Public Prosecutor’s Office agent or a Civic Judge.
Source: unotv
