Baja Safety Warning

Nak · Wed Mar 19, 25 10:54 am **Baja Safety Warning**

Warning: I just got robbed/scammed of a thousand pesos at the last Pemex on Highway 1 before the SJD airport turn off. (Coming from La Ventana.) The gas bill was $989 pesos, so I gave the guy a thousand and said thanks. He then immediately palmed that bill, and produced a 20 claiming that that's what I gave him. I laughed and said "No I gave you a thousand." Instantly, obviously pre-planned, I was surrounded by four or five employees. They were somewhat threatening and I think if I would have pushed things it very easily could have escalated. So I gave him another thousand, told him to fuck off, and left. Avoid that Pemex, and be warned that this same behavior may start showing up at other gas stations. Be prepared.

I know this has been a long time scam in Baja, and especially at this particular station. I'm posting a warning because these guys are upping their game. It used to be just a scam, now however the threat of violence was implicit. We both knew what bill I gave him--he palmed it right in front of me. This was more of a robbery than a scam--albeit a small robbery. That said, If they're escalating to the threat of violence instead of relying on a scam, then it stands to reason that larger robberies are on the horizon. Avoid this Pemex at all costs.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2624 Posts The 503 METAL

That sucks Nak! I'd definitely call that a robbery.

I think I've also used my visa at the pump for gas and most other things down there....maybe the better way to pay?

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 620 Posts Addicted

There was just a similar report on either the BPE or Facebook Everyting Los Barriles, don’t remember which. But same setup, thousand no twenty , surrounded by other ‘employees’. He Also paid so it is a new twist on an old scam, probably get worse. And they scam credit cards as well but differently.
Hold the thousand up, show him the thousand while you are still holding it and say, un mil, si?
And yes, it sucks, Bienvenidos a baja!

Nak · Wed Mar 19, 25 4:14 pm

Nak · Wed Mar 19, 25 4:20 pm

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

I remember filling up the rental car down around the airport in Cabo and asking for it to be filled up. They purposefully didn't fill it so when I returned the car we would get dinged for the super expensive gas at the rental car agency.

There is always a scam out there. . . Be watchful and careful.

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 664 Posts Addicted

I believe this is the same pemex station I was scammed at years ago.

The scam back then was one of the pumps was way off. In hindsight, I shoulda known something was up. There were long lines at all the pumps except for one pump. I of course chose the short line.

I don't remember the details anymore, but I recall that the quantity of liters charged was far higher than my small rental car could hold, and I came in with a lot of gas in the tank.

I complained, but ultimately paid and moved on.

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 620 Posts Addicted

Yea, for years there was a station in Santa Rosalita that had a line for the locals and a line for the tourists (read gringos)and guess which line had the correct liters and which had you pay more. Had a 5 gallon can that wasn’t empty and took almost 6. There has always been a gas scam somewhere down there but years ago you were just glad they had gas and the pump was working so you paid. Now that it is more civilized the scams have ‘improved’ as well. Just part of the price living down there.