State prosecutors raided a Mexicali vehicle dealership on Monday afternoon and arrested seven employees after at least 38 customers filed fraud complaints, according to Baja California’s state attorney general’s office (FGE).
The business, ANM Motors, operates on Avenida Benito Juárez, one of Mexicali’s main commercial corridors. Prosecutors say the dealership advertised vehicles on Facebook, collected deposits from buyers, and then failed to deliver the cars or respond to follow-up inquiries.
Contracts Signed Only by Buyers
Investigators found a key red flag in the paperwork. Contracts recovered during the search warrant bore only the signatures of buyers, with no official company representative co-signing the agreements. That detail, prosecutors said, left customers with little legal recourse when transactions fell apart.
The scheme appears to have followed a consistent pattern. ANM Motors posted attractive down-payment offers on Facebook, drew customers into the dealership to sign paperwork and hand over deposits, then went silent. At least 38 people have come forward so far, though authorities expect more victims to file complaints as news of the raid spreads.
Fraud on the Rise in Baja California
The case fits a broader pattern in the state. Earlier this year, Baja California authorities reported a surge in fraud cases across the region. By January 2026, law enforcement had dismantled 16 extortion rings and arrested 39 individuals, all of whom went to trial, according to the Imperial Valley Press.
For anyone who shops for cars in Mexicali, the ANM Motors case carries a practical warning. Prosecutors advise buyers to verify that any contract includes the seller’s official signature, company tax ID (RFC), and a physical business address that matches state business registrations. Paying deposits to businesses that advertise exclusively through social media carries added risk, as these sellers may lack formal commercial registrations.
How to File a Complaint
Anyone who paid a deposit to ANM Motors and did not receive a vehicle can file a complaint directly with the FGE in Mexicali. The state attorney general’s office accepts complaints at its offices on Calzada Independencia in the Río Nuevo area of the city. Victims should bring copies of any contracts, receipts, bank transfer records, and screenshots of Facebook communications with the dealership.
The seven arrested employees face preliminary fraud charges. Prosecutors have not released their names pending formal arraignment proceedings.
This story was first reported by La Jornada Baja California.