Fraud increased significantly in Nuevo León during 2025, with the state recording a rate of 11,503 fraud cases per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the 2026 National Survey of Victimization and Perception of Public Security (ENVIPE) conducted by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).
The figure represents a 23% increase compared with 2024, placing Nuevo León well above the national rate of 8,290 fraud cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Only Mexico City, with 15,065 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, recorded a higher rate. Jalisco reported 8,189 and the State of Mexico 7,244.
Fraud was also identified as the most frequent crime in Nuevo León in the ENVIPE results. The increase comes as authorities and victims have publicly reported several cases involving alleged real-estate investment schemes, investment funds and supposed procedures to obtain pensions, some of which have resulted in significant financial losses.
Other Crimes With High Incidence
Fraud was not the only crime with a high incidence in the state.
According to the ENVIPE figures, threats were the second most frequent crime in Nuevo León, with a rate of 4,630 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
They were followed by robbery or assault on the street or on public transportation, with 4,213 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
The figures are part of a broader pattern in which fraud has become a particularly significant problem in the state. Previous ENVIPE data also identified fraud as Nuevo León’s most frequent crime. In 2024, the state recorded approximately 1.67 million crimes overall, and 92.7% were either not reported or did not result in an investigation being opened.
Why Fraud May Be Increasing
The economic characteristics of Nuevo León may make the state particularly attractive to fraudsters. A previous analysis by the UANL Center for Economic Research noted that the state’s strong economy means that many residents have stable incomes and savings, creating an environment that can also attract people seeking to obtain money through fraudulent schemes.
The problem has also been visible in major investment cases. In one case investigated this year, authorities accused an individual of participating in an alleged investment fraud involving more than 131.9 million pesos. Investigators said victims were encouraged to invest through a company and were promised attractive returns through supposed stock-purchasing strategies.
Another prominent investigation involves Proyectos 9, a real-estate development case in San Pedro Garza García. In September, a judge linked José Lobatón to proceedings over alleged fraud involving three victims and combined financial losses of more than 23 million pesos.
More People Are Reporting Fraud
The increase in fraud does not necessarily mean that every reported increase represents new criminal activity alone.
Nuevo León Attorney General Javier Flores recently said that the greater public exposure of fraud cases and the creation of groups of victims have encouraged more people to report crimes.
According to Flores, victims who previously remained separated or did not realize that their cases could be connected to the same alleged perpetrator are now organizing and presenting complaints together. He said authorities have identified people described as “prolific fraudsters” and have encouraged victims to come forward.
This means that part of the increase in reported fraud may also reflect greater willingness to report, rather than simply a proportional increase in the number of fraud schemes occurring.
The Problem of Underreporting
Underreporting remains one of the biggest difficulties in measuring fraud in Nuevo León.
Previous ENVIPE results showed that 95.9% of fraud cases in the state were not reported or did not result in an investigation being opened. This means that the official figures represent only a fraction of the fraud experienced by residents.
The high level of underreporting can make it difficult for authorities to identify patterns, connect victims with the same alleged offenders and determine the full economic impact of fraudulent schemes.
Legal experts have therefore urged people to carefully review contracts before transferring money or signing agreements, particularly when an investment, property purchase or financial operation promises unusually attractive returns.
A Growing Concern for Nuevo León
The 23% increase places fraud among the state’s most significant security concerns. Nuevo León’s combination of economic activity, relatively high purchasing power and large numbers of people participating in formal financial and commercial activities provides opportunities for legitimate business, but also creates potential targets for sophisticated fraud schemes.
The ENVIPE data therefore show two sides of the problem: fraud has a very high incidence in Nuevo León, while a large proportion of cases still go unreported or do not lead to an investigation.
The state government’s challenge will be not only to investigate the cases already reported, but also to improve mechanisms that allow victims to identify fraudulent schemes earlier, report them more easily and recover their assets when possible.
Source: elnorte
