Baja California’s regional prosecutor for Mexicali met with local business women on April 21 to outline strategies for identifying extortion and fraud schemes targeting the business community.
Claudia Espinoza Fino, the Fiscalía General del Estado (FGE) regional prosecutor, presented the fraud prevention session to members of the Asociación Mexicana de Mujeres Empresarias (Amexme), the Mexican Association of Women Entrepreneurs. The meeting took place at FGE offices in Mexicali, the Baja California state capital located just south of Calexico, California.
Tools for Reporting Extortion and Fraud
Espinoza Fino walked attendees through the AG office’s citizen services, including alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that can help resolve certain cases without a full criminal proceeding. She also promoted two key resources available to any resident or business owner who suspects criminal activity.
The first is the Fiscal Enlace Contigo program, an FGE outreach initiative that connects prosecutors directly with community members and business groups. The second is the anonymous tip line, reachable by dialing 089 from any phone in Baja California. Both tools are open to anyone, regardless of nationality or immigration status.
Extortion Remains a Persistent Threat in Baja California
The outreach comes as extortion continues to be a serious concern across Baja California. Baja California Attorney General Ricardo Iván Carpio has previously acknowledged that criminals target a wide range of businesses in the Mexicali area, from auto repair shops to food vendors. Business groups in the city have repeatedly called on authorities to strengthen anti-extortion efforts and activate civilian security committees.
Across Mexico, extortion has grown into one of the most common crimes affecting small and medium businesses. A 2024 AP report found that nearly half of companies surveyed by the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico had experienced attacks on their supply chains, and 45% reported receiving extortion demands. The problem has historically hit smaller, owner-operated businesses the hardest.
For business owners in the Mexicali area who believe they are targets of extortion or fraud, the FGE recommends calling the 089 anonymous tip line or contacting the nearest prosecutor’s office directly. The session with Amexme was part of a broader FGE effort to build ties with organized business groups in the region, as first reported by La Jornada BC.