Ready to Move to Mexico? Check out the COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide bit.ly/3SICdD0 Don't get cheated at restaurants and stores. Get your Mexico Consumer Rights Card. etsy.me/3H9jNt4
I'm Mexican myself, all I can ask to all expats is " please don't pay the braving, we are trying to clean our country and get rid of all kinds of corruption, so please help us out and enjoy our country!!
Thanks 👍, indeed it's a fact that if you stop feeding parasites, they disappear. I always felt like if I agree with the "let's take care of this right here" I am putting myself on a corner for the corrupt officer to request any outrageous amount of his/her choice OR turn the table and accused my of "offering" to him a illegal bribe... And be very screw, their word against my... Mmmm nope! It might be my paranoia of illegalities.
Thanks for your video. On our way from La Paz to Cabo (BCS) we had a flat tire. We were unable to loosen the lug nuts to change the tire. Green Angels were not around. A National Guard patrol stopped and changed the tire for us. Both young men were polite, efficient and professional in their help. We are senior citizens and permanent residents. We were very thankful, got their names and afterwards sent our congrats and appreciation to their superior. It was a positive experience and love to share it!
Listen Gale, what Queeroo is trying to tell us: Cops sucks. They are literal scum. Queeroo should know because he's a retired cop sucking off the pension teet of American tax payers.
I’m so glad you’ve only had positive experiences with law enforcement when driving in Mexico‼️😊I’ve experienced both the positive and negative of law enforcement when driving in Mexico, but so far the good has outweighed the bad.
I was shaken down. But I went to the police station to report it. I knew it wouldn’t help, but I told the officer in charge that I was shaken down for a lot more than I actually was, just to stir the pot, because surely many were in on it, and someone ended up in a world of hurt for holding back funds.
Oh boy I’m glad there’s people like us that think like that. I’m from Mexico (live in US) and was visiting my pueblo and we went to a bigger town that had a supermarket about an hour away. We get there, park, shop, and then go back to the car. Now, I was with my my mom and dad as well as my aunts. My aunts had bought 10 roasted chickens and other things to take back to the Pueblo-they’d placed them in the car and walked back inside with us. I finish my shopping with my parents. So as we are now back to the car after we were done we noticed my aunts handbags were missing and all the food was gone. We reported it to the security but they said they couldn’t do anything (we saw the suspected kids with them after we left…). As we reported it though my mom made up that there was about 3k in American cash (a LOT in Mexico) even though it was like probably $300. We still laugh thinking at how they probably mauled each other.
You should never have gone there. Remember you are in someone else’s country and you have no rights and they pretty much could beat you up ,wrongfully jail you , lie on you and hold you in a Mexican jail. Try not to have any contact with them. It may not end up good.
@@deedeelife1032 Imagine Americans making this comment to Mexican immigrants whenever they get mistreated by the police or short-changed by their employer 🤣
I used to work for an American manufacture that had a factory in Tecate Mexico. When we would schedule a trip to the Mexican factory we would first stop at our warehouse on the US border. There a human resource employee would brief us how to "get along" in Mexico. The main thing was we were each given business cards for a lawyer in Tecate. This lawyer was the brother in law of the Mayor. Our company paid this lawyer a special fee to insure respect was shown to the Mayor. When the local police would stop you, all you had to do was give them a business card and ask them to call your lawyer. The local police would quickly hand the card back and apologize for stopping us. They were terrified of extorting money from a gringo that was already paying protection money to the Mayor (filtered through his brother in law.)
@@Happy_Spatula The American run factories that are close to the border are actually owned by the top 1% of the wealth families in Mexico. 95% of the employees in those factories are legally employed by the families that own the land and factory buildings. For every dollar earned by the Mexican factory workers 25% goes directly to the factory owners. When Covid shut down the border factories within 10 days the Mexican government reopened the businesses as the money stopped flowing to the factory owners and the politicians they support. As the old axiom says, "follow the money". Corruption of the law enforcement officers is the bottom of the food chain. At the top where most of the money is collected it's called "doing business".
I have gotten stopped a few times, I have been threatened with all sorts of stuff (arrest, vehicle seizure, etc), but I always ask for a citation, never gotten one yet. I always tell the truth even when it is my fault and that has been the outcome.
I never knew that . I’m a Mexican American with limited Spanish . All my homies warn me to go because they expect me to speak Spanish but I can’t lmfao .
This EXACT thing happened to me 3 hours ago. I was arguing and insisted on court date and I said he can keep my licence because I'll get another one back home. I saw what they're doing and didn't want to offer not even a dime. They just gave back my documents and took off. It was on my way back to the rental. Your video is absolutely on point from beginning till the end.
I was visiting Mexico with my BIL who was born in Mexico. I was driving, and we get pulled over, several miles out of Oaxaca. I’m white, BIL is Mexican, but of a somewhat lighter complexion. I speak fluent Spanish, but the cop comes up to the window and starts speaking in English. Says we were doing 95 KPH in a 55 KPH zone and says he’s gonna have to take the vehicle. I respond in English, explaining that there was no way I was doing 95 and he must be mistaken. He starts explaining that we can pay a fine instead, to avoid having our vehicle taken. BIL chimes in with Spanish, explaining that we weren’t going to be paying a fine, and they weren’t taking our vehicle, and that it would be best for everyone if they let us go on with our day. I reaffirm this in Spanish as well; the cop seems caught off guard, and goes back to his vehicle for a few minutes, (probably deciding on what to do), and says he’s going to do us a favor and give us a break. We laugh, “thank” him for his generosity, and carried on. I was honestly scared, but my BIL said it happens all the time, and once you let them know you aren’t a clueless tourist, it usually resolves the issue.
My first & ONLY time in mexico, i went with a friend, i noticed there were a LOT of americans, so i felt comfortable. But then i seen an american girl passed out in the gutter of a sidewalk, i walked by to see if she had any wounds or if she was just too drunk. A fellow american (and this is where it gets nightmarish) seen my interest in the PASSED OUT HUMAN WE SHARE THIS PLANET WITH and he said, "I wouldnt mess with her man, you dont know whos watching." and i thought, what an absolutely unamerican & inhumane thing to say, scum bag. so i walked closer, asked her if she was okay and she asked for help up, i sat her up, and the cops rolled up, 2 of them. they arrest me and my friend, throw us quiet violently in the back of the car, and they TOSS the woman in the front seat. they drove until i seen no more street lights, stopped, r*ped her in front of us while they took turns, and when they finished they drove back the other way and we were going about 55 mph when he opened the door and pushed her out of the car. My friend and i watched as she rag dolled to a stop.. traumatized to say the least, they let us go, laughed and carried on. we left immediately and would never think of going back to such a disgusting country with such horrible people
I think it's the opposite. Too much time showing Mexico as a third-world corruption paradise, where the foreigners are innocent peace pigeons. Heck, in 2022 they still use the yellow filter for movie sets. 😄
Racist and xenophobes tend to focus on the negatives and blow them out of proportions to make them look as more prominent that what they are. Like saying anyone in an elementary school in USA can be murdered at any time... oh wait, that's actually true.
Your description of the recent experience is EXACTLY like every experience of mine where I chose to not pay “mordida”. I paid it twice only because it was to my convenience. Each time it was no more than $300pesos. I learned from my Mexican friends all the way back in 1986 that the last thing they want is to go back to the station, losing valuable grifting time.
My first & ONLY time in mexico, i went with a friend, i noticed there were a LOT of americans, so i felt comfortable. But then i seen an american girl passed out in the gutter of a sidewalk, i walked by to see if she had any wounds or if she was just too drunk. A fellow american (and this is where it gets nightmarish) seen my interest in the PASSED OUT HUMAN WE SHARE THIS PLANET WITH and he said, "I wouldnt mess with her man, you dont know whos watching." and i thought, what an absolutely unamerican & inhumane thing to say, scum bag. so i walked closer, asked her if she was okay and she asked for help up, i sat her up, and the cops rolled up, 2 of them. they arrest me and my friend, throw us quiet violently in the back of the car, and they TOSS the woman in the front seat. they drove until i seen no more street lights, stopped, r*ped her in front of us while they took turns, and when they finished they drove back the other way and we were going about 55 mph when he opened the door and pushed her out of the car. My friend and i watched as she rag dolled to a stop.. traumatized to say the least, they let us go, laughed and carried on. we left immediately and would never think of going back to such a disgusting country with such horrible people
Yes, a terrible country. Please stay away for your own safety. Remain under the protection of the officers in your own country with those sparkling halos over their heads.
Paul, thanks for another great video! We have driven roughly 8000 KM (with foreign plates in a bright red Jeep) throughout MX in the last year and so far we have been blessed with encountering kind helpful officers. We do have a dash cam and my phone sits in a mount on my dash as I use it for navigation. It points towards me and essentially the driver’s side window. When going through check stops I often see the officers look at my dash cam and phone. I have been asked to present papers which we do and they review and send us on our way. I pray we will continue to encounter good folks and not have to mess with a negative situation. I do feel better prepared from watching and reading your advice! Robert
Robert, I too travel quite a bit in Mexico. I also travel with a dash cam. I think it helps a lot. Whenever I have it I always get sent straight through the checkpoints without any hesitation at all. Would probably help with a traffic stop as they would suspect they are being recorded.
My first & ONLY time in mexico, i went with a friend, i noticed there were a LOT of americans, so i felt comfortable. But then i seen an american girl passed out in the gutter of a sidewalk, i walked by to see if she had any wounds or if she was just too drunk. A fellow american (and this is where it gets nightmarish) seen my interest in the PASSED OUT HUMAN WE SHARE THIS PLANET WITH and he said, "I wouldnt mess with her man, you dont know whos watching." and i thought, what an absolutely unamerican & inhumane thing to say, scum bag. so i walked closer, asked her if she was okay and she asked for help up, i sat her up, and the cops rolled up, 2 of them. they arrest me and my friend, throw us quiet violently in the back of the car, and they TOSS the woman in the front seat. they drove until i seen no more street lights, stopped, r*ped her in front of us while they took turns, and when they finished they drove back the other way and we were going about 55 mph when he opened the door and pushed her out of the car. My friend and i watched as she rag dolled to a stop.. traumatized to say the least, they let us go, laughed and carried on. we left immediately and would never think of going back to such a disgusting country with such horrible people
Great video!!! Went to Chiapas in August to visit friends. My friend is from Mexico and he was driving us around. We got pulled over at a road black. A total of 4 officers and 7 firearms. They followed the shakedown recipe as stated in your video. My friend told them several times to simply give him the ticket so he could pay the fine. The police caved after about 10 minutes and returned his documents and license plate. It is so important to stay calm and be respectful during these situations. It is more effective than getting an attitude with law enforcement.
Great advice. When we were moving to Mx we got stopped in Puebla. We had been warned about the cops so knew what to expect. We ended up paying the bribe but they gave us a “receipt” which we were told could be used to pay no further bribes for the rest of the trip.
Nice breakdown, pretty accurate down to every stage. I live in Playa Del Carmen, I travel to Tulum daily for work. This happens to me all the time in Tulum. If you don't take the bribe 9/10 they drive away with no ticket issued. Also, there is a law in Q.Roo that protects tourists from small first time traffic infractions.
Happened to me too in Cancun ! Crazy thing is : after I payed the BRIBE , I turned at the next u turn and when I drove back into Cancun they saw me and the craziest thing is they stopped me again and handed me over the money ! Made excuses and waved me goodbye ! ( they might have been scared me driving to the nearest police station) and … by the way I wasn’t even speeding 😅
I was stopped last week in Merida on the wraparound highway, the Periferico. This was an organized checkpoint, where police were checking and often shaking down people en masse. I was told I would be cited because I didn't have something red hanging off the end of some rain gutters I had just bought and that were sticking about 2 feet beyond the end of my pickup. The officer (and I use that term very loosely) took my license and registration and basically said that I would not get either of them back unless I paid..... the infraction to be paid at the office would be 1500 pesos, but maybe something could be arranged. I played the no habla Español card and said that I only had 100 pesos on me. I was really worried about leaving my documents behind, because they sometimes get lost, and that would be a real hassle. So 100 pesos changed hands, and that was it. I got away easy, but I was just surprised that this shakedown was so ridiculously blatant and obvious. They are supposed to only check plates, but seem to have a free hand to do whatever they please. I have seen these checkpoints a few times now, sometimes 5 or 6 of them on a 50km stretch of highway. It was not my first run-in with police corruption in Mexico, but the last one occurred more than 25 years ago.....hopefully not again!
They should post phone numbers everywhere to turn these morons in. I'm guessing they could also consider paying them what they're actually worth if they were honest.
Thank you for this, Paul! We just watched again. We live in Zihuatanejo and were pulled over last night just as we arrived home. The officer said we ran a red light. It was actually yellow. He asked for my husband's driver's license, and said he had to keep it as guarantee of payment. I asked him to give us a ticket, if he must, or let's go to the police station. He said it was closed (about 8pm) and had his citation book out. But he gave my husband back his license and said to be careful next time.
A female officer wanted me to date her I suffer from arrested development in USA (beatings theft etc) I just could not She pulls me over everytime I buy her breakfast She is in college her pay is low Oh well she is nice about it
I give THEM the duplicate license that I carry just for this. Another thing that works is not speaking any Spanish. I just ask for the ticket in English, play dumb. Give nothing. CDMX is super crooked but I'll sit there all day if I have to. Don't give in. Great video
As a black female living in the United States, I would rather be pulled over by a Mexican police officer, and pay a bribe than be shot. For black people in America, being pulled over by white police is traumatic. Because being stopped could be just a case of driving while black in America.
I give them my expired drivers license and a copy of registration and insurance. If they wanna keep documents, then go ahead! I NEVER pay the mordita, just insist on the citation. I also have never received a citation. Also, I don’t pull over either. I think that’s how they know we’re touring.
Not speaking Spanish is 100% the way. It probably doesn't work in super touristy areas where at least some of the cops, speak English, but it has worked for me 100% of the time in other areas. I live right on the Mexican border, cross into Sonora a couple of times a week and have probably been stopped close to 20 times over the years. I just smile at them, pretend I have no idea what they're saying and just keep speaking English. Eventually they just get frustrated and let me go. As an aside: pretending not to understand what someone is saying in a language you know is harder than you'd think. You have to suppress a lot of automatic reactions and facial expressions. It's kind of a fun game actually.
This just happened to me tonight!! First time in Mexico, doesn’t make me want to come back…shame on these corrupt people bringing shame to their country.
Great video. Police corruption is endemic and been going on for decades in Mexico. It’s a malady the government is trying to clean against all odds and we have to be part of that process by standing out ground and not paying bribes anymore. I hope we all follow this advice and I hope my future life in México finds that beloved country 🇲🇽 better than when I left 36 years ago!
A good solution would be to have police whose sole purpose is to try to get bribes and then put a 30,000 pesos fine for those caught paying bribes. That would probably put an end to it rather quickly.
Hey Paul, had a similar experience with a cop on the Panamanian Highway. He only spoke Spanish so I kept saying “So sorry no comprende” he got frustrated and let me go after 10 minutes or so.😂
I've been traveling in Mexico since I was eight and been stopped only once by los quicos and did not pay a mordita. Your advice is good, but the best advice is to learn to habla in Spanish. You have helped with your Spanish lessons. Also, I had more trouble with quicos in the US than ever in Mexico. Gracias.
Actually, a common tactic is to pretend you don't speak Spanish so that you can pretend you don't understand they are asking for a bribe. If the officer speaks English, you follow Paul's advice and politely ask for the ticket.
actually, I could have saved myself a small fortune when I was younger if I could have just bribed the cops on the side of the road.As long as I really did commit the offense, I kind of like this idea of paying them a little to drive away from the whole thing
Good advice. Thank you. I have been lucky 16 winters in Guaymas, Sonora and 1) I have not been stopped for something I did not do; 2) When I once did something wrong, I apologized and said that I did not understand his hand traffic signals; and 3) I have never been solicited for a bribe nor paid one in Mexico. The advice I heard was to offer to go to the police station to pay the infraction. That is what I will do if it ever happens to me. Lucky, I guess.
I know there's over a thousand comments on here, but I just have to say thank you for this!! Just got shaken down in exactly the way you described about 2 hours ago. Showed him the document about being a tourist and getting a warning and then another guy showed up, looked at it, and eventually they let me go! I would've been so scared if not for this but I kept it together and it was fine! Thank you thank you thank you!
Well done. As a tourist, I very much appreciate the efforts of Mexico to keep the areas I frequent safe. I recently witnessed CLOSE UP the brave actions of the Mexican Marines in addressing drug violence where they went toward, not away from the danger. Yes there are bad actors, but the same can be said of the US, if not necessarily the same frequency level. I appreciate the fact that you're providing advice for dealing with the bad actors without crapping on others in Mexican law enforcement that are trying to make a difference and putting their lives on the line to do so. Thumbs up.
The marines are just built different, they are the most trusted force amongst the population, a few years ago people protested when marines where going to be lifted from the streets and replaced by state police instead
Yes! I have had the same experience, great advice. You can also keep an extra wallet with only 200 pesos in it so they can’t ask for all your cash. My friend had a terrible experience and they took everything from her wallet. I think the key is to be polite and stay relaxed. I have always tried to get the ticket and they have always been frustrated and just let me go.
That can work too. My husband who is Mexican was even taken into the police station into a room where he was pressured to give money. He only said he had money to buy animal food and to just give a ticket. They pressured him for an hour. But my husband knew it was wrong and they eventually let him go without any ticket at all.
Exactly right!!!....Just be cool , kind, and respectful to our civil servants. Just as americans know all about our "corrupt" cops, our officers also know all about arrogant americans!
My first & ONLY time in mexico, i went with a friend, i noticed there were a LOT of americans, so i felt comfortable. But then i seen an american girl passed out in the gutter of a sidewalk, i walked by to see if she had any wounds or if she was just too drunk. A fellow american (and this is where it gets nightmarish) seen my interest in the PASSED OUT HUMAN WE SHARE THIS PLANET WITH and he said, "I wouldnt mess with her man, you dont know whos watching." and i thought, what an absolutely unamerican & inhumane thing to say, scum bag. so i walked closer, asked her if she was okay and she asked for help up, i sat her up, and the cops rolled up, 2 of them. they arrest me and my friend, throw us quiet violently in the back of the car, and they TOSS the woman in the front seat. they drove until i seen no more street lights, stopped, r*ped her in front of us while they took turns, and when they finished they drove back the other way and we were going about 55 mph when he opened the door and pushed her out of the car. My friend and i watched as she rag dolled to a stop.. traumatized to say the least, they let us go, laughed and carried on. we left immediately and would never think of going back to such a disgusting country with such horrible people
Thank you for your video! So true when I visited Puerto Vallarta, I got pulled twice on the same day! The second time, I told the cop "your too late, the first guy already pulled me over" and they let me go!
This is an excellent video, thank you so much. I recently received a ticket in Puerto Peñasco for something I didn’t do, however I was alone in the car and both the officer and his partner “saw” me. I felt cornered and was not a happy camper - but at least they didn’t ask for money but explained the procedure. I followed them to the police station and paid a $39 fine. I also asked for a receipt in case there were any issues down the line. I’m spending several months in Baja and this is good information to have.
I've been in a similar situation in Mexico, but hadn't done anything wrong. It was total extortion and am sure the cop stopped me just because I was driving a rental car in a tourist area. He tried to take my drivers license, but gave him a copy of my drivers license instead, which really pissed him off. He then told me I could pay him $200.00 US dollars in cash or the equivalent in pesos and I refused to pay. I told him to take me to the Policia station and I’d pay the fine there. He shook his head in frustration, walked away and drove off. After that I always take private transfers from and back to the airport and use Ubers, Taxis, Buses and Collectivos in-between.
My first & ONLY time in mexico, i went with a friend, i noticed there were a LOT of americans, so i felt comfortable. But then i seen an american girl passed out in the gutter of a sidewalk, i walked by to see if she had any wounds or if she was just too drunk. A fellow american (and this is where it gets nightmarish) seen my interest in the PASSED OUT HUMAN WE SHARE THIS PLANET WITH and he said, "I wouldnt mess with her man, you dont know whos watching." and i thought, what an absolutely unamerican & inhumane thing to say, scum bag. so i walked closer, asked her if she was okay and she asked for help up, i sat her up, and the cops rolled up, 2 of them. they arrest me and my friend, throw us quiet violently in the back of the car, and they TOSS the woman in the front seat. they drove until i seen no more street lights, stopped, r*ped her in front of us while they took turns, and when they finished they drove back the other way and we were going about 55 mph when he opened the door and pushed her out of the car. My friend and i watched as she rag dolled to a stop.. traumatized to say the least, they let us go, laughed and carried on. we left immediately and would never think of going back to such a disgusting country with such horrible people
@@1480-b5g many countries are dumps, America included. It has some of the nastiest people and you’re judgment of a country off one experience proves that.
Paul, this is such an excellent video. Thank you so much! After living here, almost 3 years, I’ve organically reached many of the same conclusions but every idea you bring up is key for someone like me. I do drive in Mexico City on occasion, so I will download that app. Next year I’ll be doing another road trip across Mexico, and your knowledge added to my experience is indispensable. 🙏🏼 🚓👮👮♂️
In San Felipe, BC my friend and I were pulled over for going on our bikes 60 mph in a 45 kph zone. Oops! A little chat with a super friendly guy who spoke better English than I do. Offered a "roadside settlement". We answered, "it depends". He wanted to take a trophy picture squeezing my helmeted head. DEAL! A good day. No shakedown, no threats, no ticket. Nevertheless, you are right on. Thank you.
Great stuff. One problem is they tell you to follow them to the “corralón” or some other place. We followed a police car in Tijuana to an abandoned place. We gave him the 500 pesos we had. He felt bad and gave us back 100 pesos. Later, a Mexican in Ensenada told us that next time when a cop tells us to follow him, take out your phone and ask him the address of the precinct so you can have your lawyer meet you there.
I paid a bribe in Merida. But not because they told me They would take my rental Car License Plate and License. I talked to his friend on the phone after going through a red light because it changed so quickly. I was told I could avoid any issues by just paying the police 700 pesos instead of being without my car for 4 days and paying 1500 pesos. I chose to pay the 700 but only had 2 500 peso bills and after giving him 1000. I asked for 300 back in very broken Spanish and he gave me back 500 and told me to just go. It was like $35. And I did go through the red light following car in front of me. I was nervous and did not know how or what would happen. But I may do things differently in future thanks to this New Information You Provided. Thanks😊
A good solution would be to have police whose sole purpose is to try to get bribes and then put a 30,000 pesos fine for those caught paying bribes. That would probably put an end to it rather quickly.
Excellent. I travel solo in Mexico via motorcycle. My last was in San Luis Potosí. Pulled over at a Pemex. Cop wanted $200 to make my speeding ticket go away. An hour of firm, but friendly discussion ensued. He made veiled threats to seize my motorcycle unless I complied…and on and on…finally he told me he couldn’t stay any longer. He gave me my documents back and offered to give me an escort to my hotel! You gotta love Mexico, Lol
In 1989 I drove from Puerto Vallarta to San Diego in a van with California plates. The Federalies stopped us at three checkpoints and acted like our paperwork wasn't in order. Each time I gave the officer 50 Pesos, and he let us pass. The lines that were pulled over to the side of the road at these checkpoints were 20 to 30 cars deep. It saved a lot of time.
Yeah its totally different now. In northern mexico 100 miles from the US Border all American vehicles are required to have mexican insurance coverage and a permit from the Mexican DMV to drive in northern mexico. If you don't have that permit they can impound your vehicle. Its changed since 33 years ago.
Exactly! I mean, a lot of people are in Mexico only for a 2 or 3 day weekend, and dealing with Juanito Law is wasted time I could be partying, right? It's making the most of the time you have. That means bypassing the legal discussions with the federales with a little mordida and smiling a lot. Copping a tude is a 'do not do', unless you're curious what's for supper at the carcel.
Well Paul as you know we drove down Baja from Ontario Canada and are spending at least 3 months in La Paz. And 6 months in Mexico to see if its a fit for us to live. Ive read cops are bad here in La Paz for the bribes so Ive told my wife we are doing full stops at all Altos even though everyone just drives on through, no U turns and always watching the curb colors for parking. I imagine its a matter of time so im ready for it and hope to hold my ground. I also have a dash cam so i hope i can prove no we didnt roll through the stop or whatever. At best theyll get me for driving to slow lol Cheers to you and Linda!
This is good advice. Another thing to note is that every second of their time you waste, they're not making money extorting other people. They also don't want to impound your car or take you to the delegacion because their supervisors expecting them to make as much $ as possible. Yep, they share bribes all the way up the chain. (expat in Mexico city; learned this from locals)
Very valuable information Paul. Unfortunately this happens everywhere. I'm sure that you upheld the law when you were a police officer b/c you seem like a standup guy. We need more of you out there.
Always trustworthy reliable information Paul. Thankfully we have not been bothered once in our 2+ years driving here. 🤞🏼 Cheers from 2 Canadians 🇨🇦 living in Mexico.🇲🇽✌🏼
Thanks for taking on this topic, Paul. Too many foreigners think paying mordita is some kind of proof of their bona fides in being able to navigate Mexico. The Facebook groups are full of them. Actually it’s just the opposite. It shows they still have a lot to learn about Mexico. Either that and/or they overhype the non-existent danger of interacting with corrupt police in a firm but calm, polite and non-entitled way.
A good solution would be to have police whose sole purpose is to try to get bribes and then put a 30,000 pesos fine for those caught paying bribes. That would probably put an end to it rather quickly.
I have been in MX for 14 years. Part of that time I drove a European mfg car with US plates. Never stopped. As a precaution I keep the nearest US consulate on speed dial. I think a suggestion for the cop to speak to duty officer to clarify the situation could be a deterrent for a bribe. I once had a dispute with a taxi driver over a fare. I slammed the door on exiting. The taxista wanted 500 extrs pesos for no apparent damages. Muni cops were called. Cops agreed with me. I tried reverse mordida to say gracias. The cop wouldn't accept it. I was traveling with a MX friend in an adjacent state. He was caught speeding with a radar gun. The gun looked like it was falling apart. The cop wanted 150 pesos to forget. As you described Paul, threat of documents confiscated. My friend almost decided to accept the confiscation because he could get duplicates in his home state. Computers didn't talk to each other. He paid the 150. The following week, same location, same cop, same dilapidated radar gun. Jose talked his way out of it. Once I was involved in a "she said...he said" situation. Literally, confined for 10 hours. An administrative hearing, lawyer and interpreter provided gratis. US consulate notified. All done, not requested by me, but as part of normal protocol. Final outcome: No fine, no time. It was such a great experience, I never want to do it again, because it may not be the same. But, at no time was there a hint of mordida. This encounter did not hinder applying for a Residente T/P or passport renewal. I did notice my name was misspelled on the detention form.
In this part of Sonora, for a while, people carried two wallets when driving, one with about $20 usd and the other was their everyday, real wallet. If you get stopped by the cops drag out the wallet with no money in it. The local police also sell stickers at Christmas to raise money for the local orphanage (it actually does go to the orphanage, too) and if you put it on your car it’s almost a get out of jail free card. That’s the best $5 you can spend here in town.
Hi Paul, still learning English with your videos :). I've went through the same situation until stage #4 where they just notify you or ask you to not do it again. I don't live in Mexico anymore, but would like to. Even with these situations... but you're right, something always reminds you that you can't be distracted.
Thanks as always for the very pertinent info and videos! As a single woman driving in Mexico (I speak Spanish, so that's helpful, ).. but I didn't know they could seize license etc.. I haven't been pulled over yet, but yes, I will stand my ground politiely (unless I'm late for Pickleball, then I may have to get through it more quickly.. lol)
Excellent advices, thank you. I love Mexico, as in the physical location. The people, however, scare the hell out of me. I don't know how the locals endure this way of living in relative danger to your safety and your rights, day after day.
Really appreciate this. I've spent a fair amount of time in Mexico but mostly in DF and in Ubers, not a lot of driving. Super appreciate you putting this out there!
This happened to me in San Felipe a long time ago and I was too stupid to understand that he wanted a bribe. I ended up following him back to his police station. I'm 6ft 300 lbs and I felt like a giant. The biggest cop in the police station was maybe 5'6" and they all reminded my if children with giant handguns on their hips. When he told me the fine in pesos I did the conversion in my head and thought it had to be a mistake. I ran a rusty, gray stop sign that was partially hidden by a plant in a pot (LOL) and they tell me the fine is about $8. After I did the conversion I asked him to repeat the number in pesos and then I said "$8?" He says "yeah" and I start dying laughing. I would have paid $20 for the tour of the police station I got.
We got stopped in the middle of nowhere in Morocco, for no seat belt. the cop said the fine was 10 Dirham ($1.25, U.S.). I paid it. Then he went to his car and could not find the ticket book, came back to our car and gave me the 10 Dirham back. all that ridiculous nonsense for $1.25. We looked at each other like....Is this for real?
I reminds me of a long time ago, when I was down in Panama. Last section really tells it! Me and a Sarge was driving in Panama City looking for an office. We saw that we passed by the office. We made a U-turn at the traffic light. We drove into the parking lot and were sitting in the car, when we noticed 2 lawmen walking over to us. We greet them and they start saying something. We couldn't understand them, so one of them went to showing us a ticket book. The buddy figured that they were going to give us a ticket. Then HERE'S the english they knew, "20 dollar 20 dollar"! We had to give it to them, under their ticket book. It was a real treat for them! That was probably over half a day's pay for them.
I remember when I was in Mexico visiting family, my grandpa told me "always keep a pack of beer on you in your car" I said why? He said "that way when a cop pulls you over, you can just offer them the pack of beer and they probably will let you go" I was like noo you can't do that Grandpa, he was like just watch one day. Fast-forward to another trip to Mexico, we get pulled over as a family by cops, few minutes later my grandpa hands them a pack of beer and then we were on our way. 🤣 This was one of the "GOOD" situations with Mexico cops. Some other situation the police threatened to take everyone to jail for not signalling properly on a lane change, but then said "how much money do you have? You can just pay your ticket now and I don't have to impound your car and take everyone to jail." Everyone scrambled to find cash, came up with about $70, and they said that's not enough and pressed for more. Eventually after watching everyone scramble through purses for money, and watching my aunt crying in fear, the cop felt frustrated, took the $70 and told everyone to get out of here before he arrest everyone. Then one time they pulled me over randomly with my wife and baby, searched my whole car, and kept asking me "where's the marijuana?" Over and over. They went through my bags, under my car, under all the mats, everywhere. Eventually they gave up after about 10 minutes and then let us go. There was no marijuana, they just wanted some for themselves and though I might have some by profiling. 🤣 God I have so many stories of Mexican Police!
I live in Colombia and it works exactly the same here! lol. I just asked them what information do you need to process the ticket/fine (in fluent Spanish) and then they realized Im not the typical ignorant American tourist and they let me go.
When I was a teenager, we got pulled over for speeding (by a lot) in Mexico. My friend from Argentina was with us, and since he spoke Spanish, he started talking to the officers as soon as they got to the car. They were SOOOO happy to meet an Argentinian that they didn't even try to extort us or give us a ticket. They were all smiles, told us to slow down, wear our seat belts, and have a good day.
Hey Paul, I have a friend that was shaken down by the police in Puebla in a bogus traffic violation. She did all the right things by saying she would pay at the station. They said they were all closed. They said they had to take her plate if they wrote her a ticket so she said that was fine. But what made her stop and give in was she was unsure they were legitimate traffic cops and was worried she would never see her plate again (Canadian plates). So she talked them down to $1,000 pesos so she could be on her way. What could she have done differently? I appreciate your input.
I have noticed a difference between Power and Authority. An officer may very well have the Power to hold you up and make your life miserable (or even, short!) But his Authority is usually quite limited. Here in the USA most officers do not want questions about their Authority to go very much higher.
Thanks Paul for the advise, but even more for not yielding to the extorcion, the very clear intructions step by step should help people keep calm and know what to spect; I understand it can be cumbersome to go thru all of the hassle of paying the ticket the right way in order to get your license back, but for those that don't wanto to "get in anymore trouble" and decide to pay the bribe, they are not making anybody a favor encouraging corruption by participation!
happened to me in Baja, lots of traffic & people around, I waved a couple $20's in the air above my head and asked if that was enough, the cop stood back and said "No, senor, I don't want your money", and drove off quickly. Probably 50 people saw the whole thing.
Excellent video and thank you for sharing ... I absolutely love Mexico and the best part about it are the people. We are thinking of retiring there in about 5 years. If you are stopped and you show them your warrant card ( Police ID From another country) Would this make things better or worse?
I've literally watched this unfold as the passenger in a car where the driver was a Mexican national. It's the same script, and it was just a matter of waiting them out, as they were not willing to write an official citation (probably because the municipality would laugh at it as bullshit).
My shakedown fee converted to $50CDN, which is much cheaper than the Canadian Shake Down Fee in Canada. I paid the young cop and said to my wife that we had just bought the local cop lunch with his wife. I classified it event as " Taking a Mexican to Luch Day."
That doesn't sound to bad .Let me ask you ,do you think it matters what kind of vehicle you are driving ?Does a late model luxury car or sports car make you a bigger target down there?
Great video and important advice. Gracias! You said the cop looked around to see if he was being recorded. Do you think it would help to have a dash cam that records inside and outside the car? What about recording with a cell phone? (I'd rather have a dash cam.)
It is legal to record the police in Mexico. A dash cam would be a good idea or an app that allows the cell to record withe screen turned off so it is less obvious works too. I wish I had been set up to record this encounter. Maybe next time. ;) Thank you so much for the $10.00 super thanks too. I really appreciate it.
@@qroo Hey Paul, would it be a bad idea to make it obvious to the Police that they are being recorded? Do you think it would be a deterrent against these shakedowns? Or would it potentially make your situation worse? Love your videos!
Thanks for another great video Paul. Not sure if this was asked - do you think a dashcam would be helpful in avoiding this situation or just create a more dangerous situation?
Back around 1970, a friend named Frankie had a Mother who owned a Hotel in TJ. She came to the States to visit her son. When she returned home, the Hotel Handyman had taken over the Hotel. She called the Police who said there was nothing they could do. The Mother returned to the States to stay with her son. She contacted an attorney in TJ to get her Hotel back. She and her son kept funneling money to the Lawyer who did absolutely nothing. I don't know if she ever got her Hotel back. BT, her son had dropped his '57 Chevy at an Upholstery shop in TJ. He went back the following week and the shop claimed they never had the car. Turns out, they had sold it.
I have to say, for the last 20 some years of travelling to the Yucatan, the vast majority of police encounters I have had have been positive. For the most part they genuinely want to help. A few of those times I’ve been pulled over have been for committing an infraction I knew to be wrong and have been given strong lectures a time or two but nothing more. A few times for a shake down but I stand them down and have never paid a bribe. But what I do now is I carry an official denuncia (complaint) form with my registration papers and have the large print DENUNCIA so it can be obviously seen by the officer as I’m handing over my papers to him. These complaint forms are for reporting wrongdoings by a public official and they are investigated. This way it lets him know that I’m not some ‘dumb’ tourist who will be easy to extort and I’m familiar with their system. You can generally find these forms at any public government office such as the immigration office. So far it’s worked, but as I said, very few times have I been shaken down for a bribe.
Thank you for sharing This just happened to our office manager in Mexico City Bribering and corruption is also very common all over Latinamerica. Many of our customers reported being intimidated by a cop 👮🏽♂️ in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama as well.
Interesting that he mentions being stopped on the way to the airport. Cities in North America set up electronic speed enforcement near airports for the same reason. You are focused on getting the rental car back and catching your flight and it's very unlikely that you will fight the ticket. Add a speed reduction zone and presto, it's like found money for the city. Plus, the ticket goes to the rental agency who simply puts it on your credit card. Similar scam but done electronically.
I used to worry about this until it was explained to me from a Mexican Uber driver's perspective. He explained that it was common and a good situation to pay police when you get caught for BREAKING THE LAW. (Capitalized because he emphasized that in almost all the situations, a police payoff only happens after you get caught breaking law). For example, in the United States, if you get pulled over for drunk driving, the DUI is permanently on your record, it cost tens of thousands of dollars, court time, legal fees, your license is taken away... He explained that wouldn't it be better to tell the police officer he was right for pulling you over, thank him and pay him some money, and park the car for the night? If you think about it that way, then I wish we could do that in the USA too. The same goes for many "crimes" in the US. A marijuana joint could destroy your life in the United States. You could lose custody of your children. You could find yourself unemployable. Wouldn't it be better to get slapped on the wrist by a police officer, thank the officer for doing their job, and then give them a tip? Sounds like a better option to me.
As are all of your videos, great job!!!!!!!!! Not only are your comments informative, taught well and very descriptive, but they seem to be... given from the heart. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's the way I handle it: I've been stopped for speeding twice here in Northern Baja, and here's what to expect. The police will come up to your window and ask if you know why you were stopped. It could be for anything, so I just give a little shake of my head. They may take a short walk around your car, and then tell you were going too fast, or went through a red light, or whatever. Eventually they will tell you that you're going to have to follow them back to the police station, see a judge and pay a fine, which will take up the rest of your day and probably into the night. I nod my head as if in agreement - and here comes the moment of truth: I say, OK, OK - BUT: could I give you the money now and later, when you get back to the police station, could you pay the fine for me? That's the golden ticket. You're offering a bribe but not making it seem like a bribe. Of course, they're not going to pay the fine for you, but they'll gladly take your money. Ask how much the fine is. Both times for me, it was thirty- nine dollars. Give them forty and don't ask for change. At that point there will probably be smiles and handshakes all around, and you'll be back in the wind with no paperwork, no ticket on your record, and loving the way such things go down in Mexico. Paul may not agree with this technique, but then he used to be a cop. Sorry Paul, but it works for me.
Great video. Went thru this just outside Señor. All stages, but only one officer. The officer magically spoke English when going thru the stages, but no English when I told him let’s go to judge now rather than tomorrow. Finally gave him $20 American because my wife did not find the situation as assuming as I did.
Ready to Move to Mexico? Check out the COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide
bit.ly/3SICdD0
Don't get cheated at restaurants and stores. Get your Mexico Consumer Rights Card.
etsy.me/3H9jNt4
America has more than their share of corrupt officers.
Two things surprised me in this video: 1. Mexico has any honest cops at all, 2. The bribery demands are so high.
I didn't realize you could fly without a driver's license. Oh, you have a passport to travel. OK.
I'm Mexican myself, all I can ask to all expats is " please don't pay the braving, we are trying to clean our country and get rid of all kinds of corruption, so please help us out and enjoy our country!!
Thanks 👍, indeed it's a fact that if you stop feeding parasites, they disappear. I always felt like if I agree with the "let's take care of this right here" I am putting myself on a corner for the corrupt officer to request any outrageous amount of his/her choice OR turn the table and accused my of "offering" to him a illegal bribe... And be very screw, their word against my... Mmmm nope! It might be my paranoia of illegalities.
Most Mexicans are honest people. The government (all branches) is corrupt.
Thank you.
Boo what de que se trata
asi es, bien dicho
Thanks for your video. On our way from La Paz to Cabo (BCS) we had a flat tire. We were unable to loosen the lug nuts to change the tire. Green Angels were not around. A National Guard patrol stopped and changed the tire for us. Both young men were polite, efficient and professional in their help. We are senior citizens and permanent residents. We were very thankful, got their names and afterwards sent our congrats and appreciation to their superior. It was a positive experience and love to share it!
Listen Gale, what Queeroo is trying to tell us: Cops sucks. They are literal scum. Queeroo should know because he's a retired cop sucking off the pension teet of American tax payers.
Minnesota has made it illegal for police to help a motorist in any way; css as my even help push a car out of snow….
I’m so glad you’ve only had positive experiences with law enforcement when driving in Mexico‼️😊I’ve experienced both the positive and negative of law enforcement when driving in Mexico, but so far the good has outweighed the bad.
@@canileaveitblank1476 That's sad
@@canileaveitblank1476 Thats because republicans sue.
I was shaken down. But I went to the police station to report it. I knew it wouldn’t help, but I told the officer in charge that I was shaken down for a lot more than I actually was, just to stir the pot, because surely many were in on it, and someone ended up in a world of hurt for holding back funds.
Oh boy I’m glad there’s people like us that think like that. I’m from Mexico (live in US) and was visiting my pueblo and we went to a bigger town that had a supermarket about an hour away. We get there, park, shop, and then go back to the car. Now, I was with my my mom and dad as well as my aunts. My aunts had bought 10 roasted chickens and other things to take back to the Pueblo-they’d placed them in the car and walked back inside with us. I finish my shopping with my parents. So as we are now back to the car after we were done we noticed my aunts handbags were missing and all the food was gone. We reported it to the security but they said they couldn’t do anything (we saw the suspected kids with them after we left…). As we reported it though my mom made up that there was about 3k in American cash (a LOT in Mexico) even though it was like probably $300. We still laugh thinking at how they probably mauled each other.
You should never have gone there. Remember you are in someone else’s country and you have no rights and they pretty much could beat you up ,wrongfully jail you , lie on you and hold you in a Mexican jail. Try not to have any contact with them. It may not end up good.
@@deedeelife1032 show some respect
That's the Mexico I know!
@@deedeelife1032 Imagine Americans making this comment to Mexican immigrants whenever they get mistreated by the police or short-changed by their employer 🤣
I used to work for an American manufacture that had a factory in Tecate Mexico. When we would schedule a trip to the Mexican factory we would first stop at our warehouse on the US border. There a human resource employee would brief us how to "get along" in Mexico. The main thing was we were each given business cards for a lawyer in Tecate. This lawyer was the brother in law of the Mayor. Our company paid this lawyer a special fee to insure respect was shown to the Mayor. When the local police would stop you, all you had to do was give them a business card and ask them to call your lawyer. The local police would quickly hand the card back and apologize for stopping us. They were terrified of extorting money from a gringo that was already paying protection money to the Mayor (filtered through his brother in law.)
lol
Isn't it interesting, either way someone is getting money - either cop or lawyer
@@Happy_Spatula Actually in this case the lawyer was just the bag man for the mayor.
@@lockman004 yup. The payment wasn't avoided. Graft still happened. Business as usual
@@Happy_Spatula The American run factories that are close to the border are actually owned by the top 1% of the wealth families in Mexico. 95% of the employees in those factories are legally employed by the families that own the land and factory buildings. For every dollar earned by the Mexican factory workers 25% goes directly to the factory owners.
When Covid shut down the border factories within 10 days the Mexican government reopened the businesses as the money stopped flowing to the factory owners and the politicians they support. As the old axiom says, "follow the money". Corruption of the law enforcement officers is the bottom of the food chain. At the top where most of the money is collected it's called "doing business".
I’m from MX and the advices you Provided are very accurate . Grettings to all the US citizens that visit or live in México. 🇺🇸🇲🇽
Thanks, jsatv. Take care. :)
I'm mexican and a lawyer, ive been in similar situations and yes, this is the correct way of handeling this case.
Outstanding and replete information. You are helping a lot of people. Blessings!
I have gotten stopped a few times, I have been threatened with all sorts of stuff (arrest, vehicle seizure, etc), but I always ask for a citation, never gotten one yet. I always tell the truth even when it is my fault and that has been the outcome.
This. Always ask for the citation/ticket. If they’re lying they’ll probably just let you go.
I never knew that . I’m a Mexican American with limited Spanish . All my homies warn me to go because they expect me to speak Spanish but I can’t lmfao .
This EXACT thing happened to me 3 hours ago. I was arguing and insisted on court date and I said he can keep my licence because I'll get another one back home. I saw what they're doing and didn't want to offer not even a dime. They just gave back my documents and took off. It was on my way back to the rental. Your video is absolutely on point from beginning till the end.
Also I said he's doing that to me because I'm a Gringo 😂 first time ever I pulled out the race card, it usually don't work
problem is....I'd rather pay an unlimited amount than have to go to the DMV in my city lol...not worth the inconvenience of that sadly
I was visiting Mexico with my BIL who was born in Mexico. I was driving, and we get pulled over, several miles out of Oaxaca. I’m white, BIL is Mexican, but of a somewhat lighter complexion. I speak fluent Spanish, but the cop comes up to the window and starts speaking in English. Says we were doing 95 KPH in a 55 KPH zone and says he’s gonna have to take the vehicle. I respond in English, explaining that there was no way I was doing 95 and he must be mistaken. He starts explaining that we can pay a fine instead, to avoid having our vehicle taken. BIL chimes in with Spanish, explaining that we weren’t going to be paying a fine, and they weren’t taking our vehicle, and that it would be best for everyone if they let us go on with our day. I reaffirm this in Spanish as well; the cop seems caught off guard, and goes back to his vehicle for a few minutes, (probably deciding on what to do), and says he’s going to do us a favor and give us a break. We laugh, “thank” him for his generosity, and carried on.
I was honestly scared, but my BIL said it happens all the time, and once you let them know you aren’t a clueless tourist, it usually resolves the issue.
Truly love a youtuber telling the truth (good and bad) about Mexico. Too many only want to focus on the sunshine and butterflies.
Definitely
jajajaja
My first & ONLY time in mexico, i went with a friend, i noticed there were a LOT of americans, so i felt comfortable.
But then i seen an american girl passed out in the gutter of a sidewalk, i walked by to see if she had any wounds or if she was just too drunk.
A fellow american (and this is where it gets nightmarish) seen my interest in the PASSED OUT HUMAN WE SHARE THIS PLANET WITH and he said, "I wouldnt mess with her man, you dont know whos watching." and i thought, what an absolutely unamerican & inhumane thing to say, scum bag.
so i walked closer, asked her if she was okay and she asked for help up, i sat her up, and the cops rolled up, 2 of them. they arrest me and my friend, throw us quiet violently in the back of the car, and they TOSS the woman in the front seat. they drove until i seen no more street lights, stopped, r*ped her in front of us while they took turns, and when they finished they drove back the other way and we were going about 55 mph when he opened the door and pushed her out of the car. My friend and i watched as she rag dolled to a stop.. traumatized to say the least, they let us go, laughed and carried on. we left immediately and would never think of going back to such a disgusting country with such horrible people
I think it's the opposite. Too much time showing Mexico as a third-world corruption paradise, where the foreigners are innocent peace pigeons. Heck, in 2022 they still use the yellow filter for movie sets. 😄
Racist and xenophobes tend to focus on the negatives and blow them out of proportions to make them look as more prominent that what they are. Like saying anyone in an elementary school in USA can be murdered at any time... oh wait, that's actually true.
Your description of the recent experience is EXACTLY like every experience of mine where I chose to not pay “mordida”. I paid it twice only because it was to my convenience. Each time it was no more than $300pesos. I learned from my Mexican friends all the way back in 1986 that the last thing they want is to go back to the station, losing valuable grifting time.
My first & ONLY time in mexico, i went with a friend, i noticed there were a LOT of americans, so i felt comfortable.
But then i seen an american girl passed out in the gutter of a sidewalk, i walked by to see if she had any wounds or if she was just too drunk.
A fellow american (and this is where it gets nightmarish) seen my interest in the PASSED OUT HUMAN WE SHARE THIS PLANET WITH and he said, "I wouldnt mess with her man, you dont know whos watching." and i thought, what an absolutely unamerican & inhumane thing to say, scum bag.
so i walked closer, asked her if she was okay and she asked for help up, i sat her up, and the cops rolled up, 2 of them. they arrest me and my friend, throw us quiet violently in the back of the car, and they TOSS the woman in the front seat. they drove until i seen no more street lights, stopped, r*ped her in front of us while they took turns, and when they finished they drove back the other way and we were going about 55 mph when he opened the door and pushed her out of the car. My friend and i watched as she rag dolled to a stop.. traumatized to say the least, they let us go, laughed and carried on. we left immediately and would never think of going back to such a disgusting country with such horrible people
Why would they let you go?
Also where in Mexico?
Wonderful country - so good it needs these “how to get shaken down” videos. I used to love Mexico. Now I spend my time (and money) elsewhere
Yes, a terrible country. Please stay away for your own safety. Remain under the protection of the officers in your own country with those sparkling halos over their heads.
Paul, thanks for another great video! We have driven roughly 8000 KM (with foreign plates in a bright red Jeep) throughout MX in the last year and so far we have been blessed with encountering kind helpful officers. We do have a dash cam and my phone sits in a mount on my dash as I use it for navigation. It points towards me and essentially the driver’s side window. When going through check stops I often see the officers look at my dash cam and phone. I have been asked to present papers which we do and they review and send us on our way. I pray we will continue to encounter good folks and not have to mess with a negative situation. I do feel better prepared from watching and reading your advice!
Robert
Robert, I too travel quite a bit in Mexico. I also travel with a dash cam. I think it helps a lot. Whenever I have it I always get sent straight through the checkpoints without any hesitation at all. Would probably help with a traffic stop as they would suspect they are being recorded.
Good idea.
My first & ONLY time in mexico, i went with a friend, i noticed there were a LOT of americans, so i felt comfortable.
But then i seen an american girl passed out in the gutter of a sidewalk, i walked by to see if she had any wounds or if she was just too drunk.
A fellow american (and this is where it gets nightmarish) seen my interest in the PASSED OUT HUMAN WE SHARE THIS PLANET WITH and he said, "I wouldnt mess with her man, you dont know whos watching." and i thought, what an absolutely unamerican & inhumane thing to say, scum bag.
so i walked closer, asked her if she was okay and she asked for help up, i sat her up, and the cops rolled up, 2 of them. they arrest me and my friend, throw us quiet violently in the back of the car, and they TOSS the woman in the front seat. they drove until i seen no more street lights, stopped, r*ped her in front of us while they took turns, and when they finished they drove back the other way and we were going about 55 mph when he opened the door and pushed her out of the car. My friend and i watched as she rag dolled to a stop.. traumatized to say the least, they let us go, laughed and carried on. we left immediately and would never think of going back to such a disgusting country with such horrible people
@@1480-b5g So, still think the guy warning you was a scumbag?
Your story is just not possible, Sorry!
Great video!!! Went to Chiapas in August to visit friends. My friend is from Mexico and he was driving us around. We got pulled over at a road black. A total of 4 officers and 7 firearms. They followed the shakedown recipe as stated in your video. My friend told them several times to simply give him the ticket so he could pay the fine. The police caved after about 10 minutes and returned his documents and license plate. It is so important to stay calm and be respectful during these situations. It is more effective than getting an attitude with law enforcement.
Great advice. When we were moving to Mx we got stopped in Puebla. We had been warned about the cops so knew what to expect. We ended up paying the bribe but they gave us a “receipt” which we were told could be used to pay no further bribes for the rest of the trip.
@@knerduno5942 i just reported every single one of those stupid reply posts so hopefully they’ll be removed permanently.
I worked in Puebla! Yep they knew me. The hand shake? Was not a hand shake.
😯
That made me laugh! A receipt so as to not pay another bribe! Now I have heard everything!!
Signed by: Miguel Raton.
Nice breakdown, pretty accurate down to every stage. I live in Playa Del Carmen, I travel to Tulum daily for work. This happens to me all the time in Tulum. If you don't take the bribe 9/10 they drive away with no ticket issued. Also, there is a law in Q.Roo that protects tourists from small first time traffic infractions.
@3:20 what would happen of he was being recorded ??
Can you reference the law? I will be in the area and I would like to have that in my pocket. Thanks in advance!
Never thought I’d see the day a youtube tutorial on corrupt cops exists
Happened to me too in Cancun ! Crazy thing is : after I payed the BRIBE , I turned at the next u turn and when I drove back into Cancun they saw me and the craziest thing is they stopped me again and handed me over the money ! Made excuses and waved me goodbye ! ( they might have been scared me driving to the nearest police station) and … by the way I wasn’t even speeding 😅
I was stopped last week in Merida on the wraparound highway, the Periferico. This was an organized checkpoint, where police were checking and often shaking down people en masse. I was told I would be cited because I didn't have something red hanging off the end of some rain gutters I had just bought and that were sticking about 2 feet beyond the end of my pickup. The officer (and I use that term very loosely) took my license and registration and basically said that I would not get either of them back unless I paid..... the infraction to be paid at the office would be 1500 pesos, but maybe something could be arranged. I played the no habla Español card and said that I only had 100 pesos on me. I was really worried about leaving my documents behind, because they sometimes get lost, and that would be a real hassle. So 100 pesos changed hands, and that was it. I got away easy, but I was just surprised that this shakedown was so ridiculously blatant and obvious. They are supposed to only check plates, but seem to have a free hand to do whatever they please. I have seen these checkpoints a few times now, sometimes 5 or 6 of them on a 50km stretch of highway. It was not my first run-in with police corruption in Mexico, but the last one occurred more than 25 years ago.....hopefully not again!
They should post phone numbers everywhere to turn these morons in.
I'm guessing they could also consider paying them what they're actually worth if they were honest.
Thank you for this, Paul! We just watched again. We live in Zihuatanejo and were pulled over last night just as we arrived home. The officer said we ran a red light. It was actually yellow. He asked for my husband's driver's license, and said he had to keep it as guarantee of payment. I asked him to give us a ticket, if he must, or let's go to the police station. He said it was closed (about 8pm) and had his citation book out. But he gave my husband back his license and said to be careful next time.
A female officer wanted me to date her
I suffer from arrested development in USA (beatings theft etc)
I just could not
She pulls me over everytime
I buy her breakfast
She is in college her pay is low
Oh well she is nice about it
You'd think they'd want to write a ticket, get some revenue for the department or wherever it goes.
I give THEM the duplicate license that I carry just for this. Another thing that works is not speaking any Spanish. I just ask for the ticket in English, play dumb. Give nothing. CDMX is super crooked but I'll sit there all day if I have to. Don't give in. Great video
As a black female living in the United States, I would rather be pulled over by a Mexican police officer, and pay a bribe than be shot. For black people in America, being pulled over by white police is traumatic. Because being stopped could be just a case of driving while black in America.
so your advice is to get a duplicate license BEFORE travelling to Mexico?
I give them my expired drivers license and a copy of registration and insurance. If they wanna keep documents, then go ahead! I NEVER pay the mordita, just insist on the citation. I also have never received a citation. Also, I don’t pull over either. I think that’s how they know we’re touring.
That's actually GENIUS! Thanks for this idea!
Not speaking Spanish is 100% the way. It probably doesn't work in super touristy areas where at least some of the cops, speak English, but it has worked for me 100% of the time in other areas. I live right on the Mexican border, cross into Sonora a couple of times a week and have probably been stopped close to 20 times over the years. I just smile at them, pretend I have no idea what they're saying and just keep speaking English. Eventually they just get frustrated and let me go. As an aside: pretending not to understand what someone is saying in a language you know is harder than you'd think. You have to suppress a lot of automatic reactions and facial expressions. It's kind of a fun game actually.
This just happened to me tonight!! First time in Mexico, doesn’t make me want to come back…shame on these corrupt people bringing shame to their country.
How did you handle it? Going in November to Tulum and am.renting a car
Great video. Police corruption is endemic and been going on for decades in Mexico.
It’s a malady the government is trying to clean against all odds and we have to be part of that process by standing out ground and not paying bribes anymore.
I hope we all follow this advice and I hope my future life in México finds that beloved country 🇲🇽 better than when I left 36 years ago!
A good solution would be to have police whose sole purpose is to try to get bribes and then put a 30,000 pesos fine for those caught paying bribes. That would probably put an end to it rather quickly.
I bet yu find Mexico superior to the usa, where I live. I am planning on moving to Puerta Vallarta
@@Anonymint-vj7bt really good solution would be to throw officers soliciting bribes in jail for 20 years.
I am glad MX is making efforts to stop corruption. Many countries aren't even trying.
Hey Paul, had a similar experience with a cop on the Panamanian Highway. He only spoke Spanish so I kept saying “So sorry no comprende” he got frustrated and let me go after 10 minutes or so.😂
I've been traveling in Mexico since I was eight and been stopped only once by los quicos and did not pay a mordita. Your advice is good, but the best advice is to learn to habla in Spanish. You have helped with your Spanish lessons. Also, I had more trouble with quicos in the US than ever in Mexico. Gracias.
Actually, a common tactic is to pretend you don't speak Spanish so that you can pretend you don't understand they are asking for a bribe. If the officer speaks English, you follow Paul's advice and politely ask for the ticket.
actually, I could have saved myself a small fortune when I was younger if I could have just bribed the cops on the side of the road.As long as I really did commit the offense, I kind of like this idea of paying them a little to drive away from the whole thing
Good advice. Thank you. I have been lucky 16 winters in Guaymas, Sonora and 1) I have not been stopped for something I did not do; 2) When I once did something wrong, I apologized and said that I did not understand his hand traffic signals; and 3) I have never been solicited for a bribe nor paid one in Mexico. The advice I heard was to offer to go to the police station to pay the infraction. That is what I will do if it ever happens to me. Lucky, I guess.
I know there's over a thousand comments on here, but I just have to say thank you for this!! Just got shaken down in exactly the way you described about 2 hours ago. Showed him the document about being a tourist and getting a warning and then another guy showed up, looked at it, and eventually they let me go! I would've been so scared if not for this but I kept it together and it was fine! Thank you thank you thank you!
Well done. As a tourist, I very much appreciate the efforts of Mexico to keep the areas I frequent safe. I recently witnessed CLOSE UP the brave actions of the Mexican Marines in addressing drug violence where they went toward, not away from the danger. Yes there are bad actors, but the same can be said of the US, if not necessarily the same frequency level. I appreciate the fact that you're providing advice for dealing with the bad actors without crapping on others in Mexican law enforcement that are trying to make a difference and putting their lives on the line to do so. Thumbs up.
The marines are just built different, they are the most trusted force amongst the population, a few years ago people protested when marines where going to be lifted from the streets and replaced by state police instead
Yes! I have had the same experience, great advice. You can also keep an extra wallet with only 200 pesos in it so they can’t ask for all your cash. My friend had a terrible experience and they took everything from her wallet. I think the key is to be polite and stay relaxed. I have always tried to get the ticket and they have always been frustrated and just let me go.
That can work too. My husband who is Mexican was even taken into the police station into a room where he was pressured to give money. He only said he had money to buy animal food and to just give a ticket. They pressured him for an hour. But my husband knew it was wrong and they eventually let him go without any ticket at all.
Exactly right!!!....Just be cool , kind, and respectful to our civil servants. Just as americans know all about our "corrupt" cops, our officers also know all about arrogant americans!
@@RishayanPorMexico "Arrogance" or just being a jerk recognizes no borders or is owned by any single race/citizenship.
My first & ONLY time in mexico, i went with a friend, i noticed there were a LOT of americans, so i felt comfortable.
But then i seen an american girl passed out in the gutter of a sidewalk, i walked by to see if she had any wounds or if she was just too drunk.
A fellow american (and this is where it gets nightmarish) seen my interest in the PASSED OUT HUMAN WE SHARE THIS PLANET WITH and he said, "I wouldnt mess with her man, you dont know whos watching." and i thought, what an absolutely unamerican & inhumane thing to say, scum bag.
so i walked closer, asked her if she was okay and she asked for help up, i sat her up, and the cops rolled up, 2 of them. they arrest me and my friend, throw us quiet violently in the back of the car, and they TOSS the woman in the front seat. they drove until i seen no more street lights, stopped, r*ped her in front of us while they took turns, and when they finished they drove back the other way and we were going about 55 mph when he opened the door and pushed her out of the car. My friend and i watched as she rag dolled to a stop.. traumatized to say the least, they let us go, laughed and carried on. we left immediately and would never think of going back to such a disgusting country with such horrible people
You never keep all your money in your wallet the more they see the more they want
Thank you for your video! So true when I visited Puerto Vallarta, I got pulled twice on the same day! The second time, I told the cop "your too late, the first guy already pulled me over" and they let me go!
This is an excellent video, thank you so much. I recently received a ticket in Puerto Peñasco for something I didn’t do, however I was alone in the car and both the officer and his partner “saw” me. I felt cornered and was not a happy camper - but at least they didn’t ask for money but explained the procedure. I followed them to the police station and paid a $39 fine. I also asked for a receipt in case there were any issues down the line. I’m spending several months in Baja and this is good information to have.
I've been in a similar situation in Mexico, but hadn't done anything wrong. It was total extortion and am sure the cop stopped me just because I was driving a rental car in a tourist area. He tried to take my drivers license, but gave him a copy of my drivers license instead, which really pissed him off. He then told me I could pay him $200.00 US dollars in cash or the equivalent in pesos and I refused to pay. I told him to take me to the Policia station and I’d pay the fine there. He shook his head in frustration, walked away and drove off. After that I always take private transfers from and back to the airport and use Ubers, Taxis, Buses and Collectivos in-between.
Thanks! We are planning/ hoping to move to Mexico soon, and your videos are some of the most helpful I have found
Thank you so much, Rachel! :)
@@qroo A spam thread started in the post from "Why no worries life"
My first & ONLY time in mexico, i went with a friend, i noticed there were a LOT of americans, so i felt comfortable.
But then i seen an american girl passed out in the gutter of a sidewalk, i walked by to see if she had any wounds or if she was just too drunk.
A fellow american (and this is where it gets nightmarish) seen my interest in the PASSED OUT HUMAN WE SHARE THIS PLANET WITH and he said, "I wouldnt mess with her man, you dont know whos watching." and i thought, what an absolutely unamerican & inhumane thing to say, scum bag.
so i walked closer, asked her if she was okay and she asked for help up, i sat her up, and the cops rolled up, 2 of them. they arrest me and my friend, throw us quiet violently in the back of the car, and they TOSS the woman in the front seat. they drove until i seen no more street lights, stopped, r*ped her in front of us while they took turns, and when they finished they drove back the other way and we were going about 55 mph when he opened the door and pushed her out of the car. My friend and i watched as she rag dolled to a stop.. traumatized to say the least, they let us go, laughed and carried on. we left immediately and would never think of going back to such a disgusting country with such horrible people
dont go to that shithole
@@1480-b5g many countries are dumps, America included. It has some of the nastiest people and you’re judgment of a country off one experience proves that.
Paul, this is such an excellent video. Thank you so much! After living here, almost 3 years, I’ve organically reached many of the same conclusions but every idea you bring up is key for someone like me. I do drive in Mexico City on occasion, so I will download that app. Next year I’ll be doing another road trip across Mexico, and your knowledge added to my experience is indispensable. 🙏🏼 🚓👮👮♂️
Thanks Paul… this is the most helpful video I’ve seen on this topic! Keep making these videos… We love them! ❤
I'm from mexico but haven't been there in like years so I'm thankful for your videos.
In San Felipe, BC my friend and I were pulled over for going on our bikes 60 mph in a 45 kph zone. Oops! A little chat with a super friendly guy who spoke better English than I do. Offered a "roadside settlement". We answered, "it depends". He wanted to take a trophy picture squeezing my helmeted head. DEAL! A good day. No shakedown, no threats, no ticket. Nevertheless, you are right on. Thank you.
You were speeding, you dirtbag. Own it like a grown-up.
Great stuff. One problem is they tell you to follow them to the “corralón” or some other place. We followed a police car in Tijuana to an abandoned place. We gave him the 500 pesos we had. He felt bad and gave us back 100 pesos. Later, a Mexican in Ensenada told us that next time when a cop tells us to follow him, take out your phone and ask him the address of the precinct so you can have your lawyer meet you there.
Great Video! This is the Kind of content your viewers need! Glad to see you're giving sound advice again. 😎Liked and shared!
I paid a bribe in Merida. But not because they told me They would take my rental Car License Plate and License. I talked to his friend on the phone after going through a red light because it changed so quickly. I was told I could avoid any issues by just paying the police 700 pesos instead of being without my car for 4 days and paying 1500 pesos. I chose to pay the 700 but only had 2 500 peso bills and after giving him 1000. I asked for 300 back in very broken Spanish and he gave me back 500 and told me to just go. It was like $35. And I did go through the red light following car in front of me. I was nervous and did not know how or what would happen. But I may do things differently in future thanks to this New Information You Provided. Thanks😊
Very good video to help us end corruption.
I'm Mexican and I applaud 👏 you!
A good solution would be to have police whose sole purpose is to try to get bribes and then put a 30,000 pesos fine for those caught paying bribes. That would probably put an end to it rather quickly.
Excellent. I travel solo in Mexico via motorcycle. My last was in San Luis Potosí. Pulled over at a Pemex. Cop wanted $200 to make my speeding ticket go away. An hour of firm, but friendly discussion ensued. He made veiled threats to seize my motorcycle unless I complied…and on and on…finally he told me he couldn’t stay any longer. He gave me my documents back and offered to give me an escort to my hotel! You gotta love Mexico, Lol
In 1989 I drove from Puerto Vallarta to San Diego in a van with California plates. The Federalies stopped us at three checkpoints and acted like our paperwork wasn't in order. Each time I gave the officer 50 Pesos, and he let us pass. The lines that were pulled over to the side of the road at these checkpoints were 20 to 30 cars deep. It saved a lot of time.
That was then! 2021 I paid over 2000 pesos for a speeding ticket.
You gave about 3.00 dollars???😂😂😂
Yeah its totally different now. In northern mexico 100 miles from the US Border all American vehicles are required to have mexican insurance coverage and a permit from the Mexican DMV to drive in northern mexico. If you don't have that permit they can impound your vehicle. Its changed since 33 years ago.
@@JuanMoreno-wo5yb You got robbed.
Exactly! I mean, a lot of people are in Mexico only for a 2 or 3 day weekend, and dealing with Juanito Law is wasted time I could be partying, right? It's making the most of the time you have. That means bypassing the legal discussions with the federales with a little mordida and smiling a lot. Copping a tude is a 'do not do', unless you're curious what's for supper at the carcel.
I have driven extensively in northern Mexico, and this guy is spot on.
Well Paul as you know we drove down Baja from Ontario Canada and are spending at least 3 months in La Paz. And 6 months in Mexico to see if its a fit for us to live.
Ive read cops are bad here in La Paz for the bribes so Ive told my wife we are doing full stops at all Altos even though everyone just drives on through, no U turns and always watching the curb colors for parking.
I imagine its a matter of time so im ready for it and hope to hold my ground. I also have a dash cam so i hope i can prove no we didnt roll through the stop or whatever.
At best theyll get me for driving to slow lol Cheers to you and Linda!
Long ago I remember driving through La Paz and getting honked at for stopping at a sign or light. I was confused, lol. 🤣
This is good advice. Another thing to note is that every second of their time you waste, they're not making money extorting other people. They also don't want to impound your car or take you to the delegacion because their supervisors expecting them to make as much $ as possible. Yep, they share bribes all the way up the chain. (expat in Mexico city; learned this from locals)
Very valuable information Paul. Unfortunately this happens everywhere. I'm sure that you upheld the law when you were a police officer b/c you seem like a standup guy. We need more of you out there.
Always trustworthy reliable information Paul. Thankfully we have not been bothered once in our 2+ years driving here. 🤞🏼
Cheers from 2 Canadians 🇨🇦 living in Mexico.🇲🇽✌🏼
Thanks for taking on this topic, Paul. Too many foreigners think paying mordita is some kind of proof of their bona fides in being able to navigate Mexico. The Facebook groups are full of them. Actually it’s just the opposite. It shows they still have a lot to learn about Mexico. Either that and/or they overhype the non-existent danger of interacting with corrupt police in a firm but calm, polite and non-entitled way.
A good solution would be to have police whose sole purpose is to try to get bribes and then put a 30,000 pesos fine for those caught paying bribes. That would probably put an end to it rather quickly.
@@Anonymint-vj7bt That's a stupid idea, and it proves you've never driven in Mexico.
I have been in MX for 14 years. Part of that time I drove a European mfg car with US plates. Never stopped. As a precaution I keep the nearest US consulate on speed dial. I think a suggestion for the cop to speak to duty officer to clarify the situation could be a deterrent for a bribe.
I once had a dispute with a taxi driver over a fare. I slammed the door on exiting. The taxista wanted 500 extrs pesos for no apparent damages. Muni cops were called. Cops agreed with me. I tried reverse mordida to say gracias. The cop wouldn't accept it.
I was traveling with a MX friend in an adjacent state. He was caught speeding with a radar gun. The gun looked like it was falling apart. The cop wanted 150 pesos to forget. As you described Paul, threat of documents confiscated. My friend almost decided to accept the confiscation because he could get duplicates in his home state. Computers didn't talk to each other. He paid the 150. The following week, same location, same cop, same dilapidated radar gun. Jose talked his way out of it.
Once I was involved in a "she said...he said" situation. Literally, confined for 10 hours. An administrative hearing, lawyer and interpreter provided gratis. US consulate notified. All done, not requested by me, but as part of normal protocol. Final outcome: No fine, no time. It was such a great experience, I never want to do it again, because it may not be the same. But, at no time was there a hint of mordida.
This encounter did not hinder applying for a Residente T/P or passport renewal. I did notice my name was misspelled on the detention form.
In this part of Sonora, for a while, people carried two wallets when driving, one with about $20 usd and the other was their everyday, real wallet. If you get stopped by the cops drag out the wallet with no money in it. The local police also sell stickers at Christmas to raise money for the local orphanage (it actually does go to the orphanage, too) and if you put it on your car it’s almost a get out of jail free card. That’s the best $5 you can spend here in town.
Hi Paul, still learning English with your videos :).
I've went through the same situation until stage #4 where they just notify you or ask you to not do it again.
I don't live in Mexico anymore, but would like to. Even with these situations... but you're right, something always reminds you that you can't be distracted.
Thanks as always for the very pertinent info and videos! As a single woman driving in Mexico (I speak Spanish, so that's helpful, ).. but I didn't know they could seize license etc.. I haven't been pulled over yet, but yes, I will stand my ground politiely (unless I'm late for Pickleball, then I may have to get through it more quickly.. lol)
Excellent advices, thank you. I love Mexico, as in the physical location. The people, however, scare the hell out of me. I don't know how the locals endure this way of living in relative danger to your safety and your rights, day after day.
The way I fixed corruption in Mexico is sold my property and moved to the Philippines and never had a problem again. It’s been amazing
got the same problem in the Philippines
are you kidding? Corruption in the Philippines is widespread........
Lmao philippines has the same exact problem
@@DrewElGringasho I’m talking police corruption. The police in the Philippines don’t shake you down like they do in Mexico
@@billyjohnson9166 Yes, they shake you down like they do in Philippines..
Really appreciate this. I've spent a fair amount of time in Mexico but mostly in DF and in Ubers, not a lot of driving. Super appreciate you putting this out there!
This happened to me in San Felipe a long time ago and I was too stupid to understand that he wanted a bribe. I ended up following him back to his police station. I'm 6ft 300 lbs and I felt like a giant. The biggest cop in the police station was maybe 5'6" and they all reminded my if children with giant handguns on their hips. When he told me the fine in pesos I did the conversion in my head and thought it had to be a mistake. I ran a rusty, gray stop sign that was partially hidden by a plant in a pot (LOL) and they tell me the fine is about $8. After I did the conversion I asked him to repeat the number in pesos and then I said "$8?" He says "yeah" and I start dying laughing. I would have paid $20 for the tour of the police station I got.
We got stopped in the middle of nowhere in Morocco, for no seat belt. the cop said the fine was 10 Dirham ($1.25, U.S.). I paid it. Then he went to his car and could not find the ticket book, came back to our car and gave me the 10 Dirham back. all that ridiculous nonsense for $1.25. We looked at each other like....Is this for real?
@@danstrayer111 if you paid the fine on the spot why was he then looking for the ticket book, to give you a receipt for the bribe?
I reminds me of a long time ago, when I was down in Panama. Last section really tells it! Me and a Sarge was driving in Panama City looking for an office. We saw that we passed by the office. We made a U-turn at the traffic light. We drove into the parking lot and were sitting in the car, when we noticed 2 lawmen walking over to us. We greet them and they start saying something. We couldn't understand them, so one of them went to showing us a ticket book. The buddy figured that they were going to give us a ticket.
Then HERE'S the english they knew, "20 dollar 20 dollar"! We had to give it to them, under their ticket book. It was a real treat for them! That was probably over half a day's pay for them.
I remember when I was in Mexico visiting family, my grandpa told me "always keep a pack of beer on you in your car" I said why? He said "that way when a cop pulls you over, you can just offer them the pack of beer and they probably will let you go" I was like noo you can't do that Grandpa, he was like just watch one day. Fast-forward to another trip to Mexico, we get pulled over as a family by cops, few minutes later my grandpa hands them a pack of beer and then we were on our way. 🤣 This was one of the "GOOD" situations with Mexico cops. Some other situation the police threatened to take everyone to jail for not signalling properly on a lane change, but then said "how much money do you have? You can just pay your ticket now and I don't have to impound your car and take everyone to jail." Everyone scrambled to find cash, came up with about $70, and they said that's not enough and pressed for more. Eventually after watching everyone scramble through purses for money, and watching my aunt crying in fear, the cop felt frustrated, took the $70 and told everyone to get out of here before he arrest everyone. Then one time they pulled me over randomly with my wife and baby, searched my whole car, and kept asking me "where's the marijuana?" Over and over. They went through my bags, under my car, under all the mats, everywhere. Eventually they gave up after about 10 minutes and then let us go. There was no marijuana, they just wanted some for themselves and though I might have some by profiling. 🤣 God I have so many stories of Mexican Police!
Good video. I have no compunction to want to go to Mexico and less to deal with corrupt cops looking for bribes.
Good to hear how you handled this.
I live in Colombia and it works exactly the same here! lol. I just asked them what information do you need to process the ticket/fine (in fluent Spanish) and then they realized Im not the typical ignorant American tourist and they let me go.
When I was a teenager, we got pulled over for speeding (by a lot) in Mexico. My friend from Argentina was with us, and since he spoke Spanish, he started talking to the officers as soon as they got to the car.
They were SOOOO happy to meet an Argentinian that they didn't even try to extort us or give us a ticket. They were all smiles, told us to slow down, wear our seat belts, and have a good day.
Thank you so much for this. You're doing great work.
Hey Paul, I have a friend that was shaken down by the police in Puebla in a bogus traffic violation. She did all the right things by saying she would pay at the station. They said they were all closed. They said they had to take her plate if they wrote her a ticket so she said that was fine. But what made her stop and give in was she was unsure they were legitimate traffic cops and was worried she would never see her plate again (Canadian plates). So she talked them down to $1,000 pesos so she could be on her way. What could she have done differently? I appreciate your input.
I have noticed a difference between Power and Authority. An officer may very well have the Power to hold you up and make your life miserable (or even, short!) But his Authority is usually quite limited. Here in the USA most officers do not want questions about their Authority to go very much higher.
Thank you for giving reasons for not visiting Mexico
Thanks Paul for the advise, but even more for not yielding to the extorcion, the very clear intructions step by step should help people keep calm and know what to spect; I understand it can be cumbersome to go thru all of the hassle of paying the ticket the right way in order to get your license back, but for those that don't wanto to "get in anymore trouble" and decide to pay the bribe, they are not making anybody a favor encouraging corruption by participation!
20$ got me back on the road.....let's see what you do when it really happens
happened to me in Baja, lots of traffic & people around, I waved a couple $20's in the air above my head and asked if that was enough, the cop stood back and said "No, senor, I don't want your money", and drove off quickly. Probably 50 people saw the whole thing.
Excellent video and thank you for sharing ...
I absolutely love Mexico and the best part about it are the people. We are thinking of retiring there in about 5 years.
If you are stopped and you show them your warrant card ( Police ID From another country) Would this make things better or worse?
Yep, been there!…I used the “two wallet” method…Great info Paul!👌👍😉
I've literally watched this unfold as the passenger in a car where the driver was a Mexican national. It's the same script, and it was just a matter of waiting them out, as they were not willing to write an official citation (probably because the municipality would laugh at it as bullshit).
Yeah. The people on the paperwork side of things would be like "WTF are you brining this to me for?"
I've never heard in my entire life someone say their are good cops in Mexico good to hear
My shakedown fee converted to $50CDN, which is much cheaper than the Canadian Shake Down Fee in Canada. I paid the young cop and said to my wife that we had just bought the local cop lunch with his wife. I classified it event as " Taking a Mexican to Luch Day."
That doesn't sound to bad .Let me ask you ,do you think it matters what kind of vehicle you are driving ?Does a late model luxury car or sports car make you a bigger target down there?
@@chrisfritz6261 I had a plane jane rental, nothing fancy ever. Fancy means target anywhere.
You paid him 2-3 days wages hahahaha. You never give more than 10-20 bucks
@@chrisfritz6261 Fancy vehicles Mercedes Cadillac etc generally scare the cops.. but you might attract the wrong attention.
Robert W can you please elaborate on the " Canadian Shake Down Fee " ??
Very interested. Thanks.
That was fascinating, organized and informative. Nicely done Paul. :)
Great video and important advice. Gracias! You said the cop looked around to see if he was being recorded. Do you think it would help to have a dash cam that records inside and outside the car? What about recording with a cell phone? (I'd rather have a dash cam.)
It is legal to record the police in Mexico. A dash cam would be a good idea or an app that allows the cell to record withe screen turned off so it is less obvious works too. I wish I had been set up to record this encounter. Maybe next time. ;)
Thank you so much for the $10.00 super thanks too. I really appreciate it.
@@qroo Hey Paul, would it be a bad idea to make it obvious to the Police that they are being recorded? Do you think it would be a deterrent against these shakedowns? Or would it potentially make your situation worse? Love your videos!
Thanks for educating the people. I lived there 7 years and only had 2 negative experiences with the transito. Blessings
Had a transito ask me in poza Rica if I was going to the El tajin pyramids
I said no
He stopped a bus ordered me onboard
Thanks officer
Glad I went😊
I've been driving in Mexico 50 + years. Never once paid a ticket or bribe. Always have Baja 1000 race shirts or hats handy! Saludos!!
So you "bribe" them with a $10 t-shirt? A ten dollar bill works just as well.
Thank you very much. Clear, comprehensive and valuable.
Thanks for another great video Paul. Not sure if this was asked - do you think a dashcam would be helpful in avoiding this situation or just create a more dangerous situation?
I have a dash cam and am always recording the cops on it. Most don’t ever know what it is.
Back around 1970, a friend named Frankie had a Mother who owned a Hotel in TJ. She came to the States to visit her son. When she returned home, the Hotel Handyman had taken over the Hotel. She called the Police who said there was nothing they could do. The Mother returned to the States to stay with her son. She contacted an attorney in TJ to get her Hotel back. She and her son kept funneling money to the Lawyer who did absolutely nothing. I don't know if she ever got her Hotel back. BT, her son had dropped his '57 Chevy at an Upholstery shop in TJ. He went back the following week and the shop claimed they never had the car. Turns out, they had sold it.
I have to say, for the last 20 some years of travelling to the Yucatan, the vast majority of police encounters I have had have been positive. For the most part they genuinely want to help. A few of those times I’ve been pulled over have been for committing an infraction I knew to be wrong and have been given strong lectures a time or two but nothing more. A few times for a shake down but I stand them down and have never paid a bribe. But what I do now is I carry an official denuncia (complaint) form with my registration papers and have the large print DENUNCIA so it can be obviously seen by the officer as I’m handing over my papers to him. These complaint forms are for reporting wrongdoings by a public official and they are investigated. This way it lets him know that I’m not some ‘dumb’ tourist who will be easy to extort and I’m familiar with their system. You can generally find these forms at any public government office such as the immigration office. So far it’s worked, but as I said, very few times have I been shaken down for a bribe.
Smart! Can these be printed online or you have to go pick them up somewhere in Mexico?
Thank you for sharing
This just happened to our office manager in Mexico City
Bribering and corruption is also very common all over Latinamerica.
Many of our customers reported being intimidated by a cop 👮🏽♂️ in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama as well.
Interesting that he mentions being stopped on the way to the airport. Cities in North America set up electronic speed enforcement near airports for the same reason. You are focused on getting the rental car back and catching your flight and it's very unlikely that you will fight the ticket. Add a speed reduction zone and presto, it's like found money for the city. Plus, the ticket goes to the rental agency who simply puts it on your credit card. Similar scam but done electronically.
Dude!! I just saw this video. How awesome! Thank you for this.
I used to worry about this until it was explained to me from a Mexican Uber driver's perspective. He explained that it was common and a good situation to pay police when you get caught for BREAKING THE LAW. (Capitalized because he emphasized that in almost all the situations, a police payoff only happens after you get caught breaking law). For example, in the United States, if you get pulled over for drunk driving, the DUI is permanently on your record, it cost tens of thousands of dollars, court time, legal fees, your license is taken away... He explained that wouldn't it be better to tell the police officer he was right for pulling you over, thank him and pay him some money, and park the car for the night? If you think about it that way, then I wish we could do that in the USA too. The same goes for many "crimes" in the US. A marijuana joint could destroy your life in the United States. You could lose custody of your children. You could find yourself unemployable. Wouldn't it be better to get slapped on the wrist by a police officer, thank the officer for doing their job, and then give them a tip? Sounds like a better option to me.
As are all of your videos, great job!!!!!!!!! Not only are your comments informative, taught well and very descriptive, but they seem to be... given from the heart. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's the way I handle it: I've been stopped for speeding twice here in Northern Baja, and here's what to expect. The police will come up to your window and ask if you know why you were stopped. It could be for anything, so I just give a little shake of my head. They may take a short walk around your car, and then tell you were going too fast, or went through a red light, or whatever. Eventually they will tell you that you're going to have to follow them back to the police station, see a judge and pay a fine, which will take up the rest of your day and probably into the night. I nod my head as if in agreement - and here comes the moment of truth: I say, OK, OK - BUT: could I give you the money now and later, when you get back to the police station, could you pay the fine for me? That's the golden ticket. You're offering a bribe but not making it seem like a bribe. Of course, they're not going to pay the fine for you, but they'll gladly take your money. Ask how much the fine is. Both times for me, it was thirty- nine dollars. Give them forty and don't ask for change. At that point there will probably be smiles and handshakes all around, and you'll be back in the wind with no paperwork, no ticket on your record, and loving the way such things go down in Mexico. Paul may not agree with this technique, but then he used to be a cop. Sorry Paul, but it works for me.
So you fed the evil system of corruption by pandering to it?
Very helpful, thanks. I getting ready to plan a road trip down to Sayulita in a couple months and was wondering about this.
Thanks for not talking about the food, Paul (lol). Very practical video as always!
Great video. Went thru this just outside Señor. All stages, but only one officer. The officer magically spoke English when going thru the stages, but no English when I told him let’s go to judge now rather than tomorrow. Finally gave him $20 American because my wife did not find the situation as assuming as I did.
Wow! GREAT advice! This is so needed.
Great vid, thanks Paul! Good advice coming from a former Florida police officer.
AWESOME video Paul, you're the best kind of retired cop.
Thanks, Jim.
Super helpful video. Especially the "transit" officer's part. Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
Paul, love your videos, great info as always! thanks!
I. who am seriously researching MX for relocation. Truly yruly appreciate this video!!!
Instant New Sub!!
from native black usnavy retired [30 years down here] Rosarito is easier work @ the Rosarito beach hotel or festival hotel-then move on
That's a very realistic, non-emotional, objective video what to expect when you cross Mexico's border. Bravo 👏👏👏
Excellent advice and very empowering! THANK YOU!
This was well made. You are a good speaker. This is a very interesting subject to me because of my many interconnections with Mexico.