The SSPC presents a national strategy against extortion; it has increased by 82% in 10 years.

In response to the escalating number of extortion cases in the country, the federal government yesterday presented its National Strategy against the crime.

During the first five months of the year, Mexico recorded 4,882 victims of the crime of extortion, the highest number for that period since 2015, according to official data. This number is 2,204 higher than the number recorded in the same period in 2015, when 2,678 victims were reported, representing an 82.3% increase over the past decade.

The comparison with 2018, the year prior to the start of the current administration, also reflects significant growth. In the first five months of that year, 2,735 victims were recorded, meaning that in 2025 there will be 2,147 more cases, an increase of 78.5% compared to that same year.

The month with the highest number of extortion victims so far in 2025 was March, with 1,046 cases, followed by February with 1,022 and May with 1,004. However, the month with the fewest reports was April, with 886 victims, although that figure alone is higher than any month reported in 2015, 2016, or 2017.

Historically, the month with the most extortion victims in a single year between 2015 and 2025 was April 2022, when 1,141 cases were reported, followed by May of the same year with 1,117.

Plan

Given this situation, authorities indicated yesterday that the plan aims to strengthen institutional capacities to dismantle criminal networks linked to this crime.

It was announced that, according to figures from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, eight entities concentrate 66% of the extortion complaints in the current administration: State of Mexico (2,049 files), Guanajuato (879), Nuevo León (645), Mexico City (602), Veracruz (585), Jalisco (178), Michoacán (124) and Guerrero (47).

It was detailed that multidisciplinary and specialized teams will be deployed in these regions, with the participation of the National Guard, Sedena (National Security Forces), the Navy, the Attorney General's Office (FGR), the Federal Intelligence Unit (UIF), and local governments. It was also specified that the strategy, mandated by President Claudia Sheinbaum, is based on the new Law of the National Investigation and Intelligence System.

“Arresting those who commit this crime is a direct way to protect the livelihoods of thousands of working families who, every day, with effort and honesty, build businesses, farm the land, transport goods, or provide services,” said García Harfuch.

Key actions include: intelligence-led arrests, training for 089 emergency call center operators, blocking bank accounts linked to the crime with support from the Financial Intelligence Unit, requesting court orders to block cell phones and devices used in prisons to make extortion calls, and conducting operations in prisons to seize communication equipment.

He also reported that since March 2025, thanks to citizen collaboration and the Citizen Security Observatory, more than 60 cases have been channeled, resulting in arrests and successful operations.

Some of the people arrested were: Santiago "N" in Tabasco, while collecting an extortion payment, and a cell known as La Barredora was dismantled; Alfredo "N" in Zacatecas, identified as responsible for extortion, homicides, and arms trafficking; and three people in Quintana Roo allegedly linked to drug dealing and extortion.

Prisons

Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero emphasized that, although extortion is a common-law crime, the federal government is obligated to protect its citizens without discrimination.

"We have identified the prisons from which the telephone extortions are being carried out. We will file civil complaints against anyone involved, and each month we will publicly report which prisons are involved," he said.

He also announced that he will convene all state prosecutors on August 1st to establish a national commitment to file and follow up on complaints in this area.

As part of the strategy, it was announced that a nationwide prevention campaign will be launched with support from the media and private sector. Cashiers at convenience stores and banks will be trained to prevent deposits to extortionists; and hotel receptionists will be trained to detect virtual kidnappings and suspicious calls.

While the 089 number will be promoted as the official channel for anonymous extortion reports.