BajaNomad

Getting pulled over, bribes, and extortion from police

jamiec - 3-16-2021 at 02:42 PM

I came across these videos, this guy has driven the Pan-American Hwy as well as around Africa. His advice on dealing with extortion attempts and bribery requests seems pretty logical.

Video 1: https://youtu.be/IOljPXY0Smg

Video 2: https://youtu.be/qdQPz0I-Mgc

A video of a bribery attempt from Africa and how he put these ideas to work to get out of the bribe: https://youtu.be/7RTlDa2cg0o

Thoughts?

vandy - 3-16-2021 at 04:15 PM

I liked video 2 at 10:45 talking about respect and friedliness for the checkpoint guys. I only get surly when cops try for a bribe for no reason.

His method of defusing the situation with friendliness and mild counterpoint lying and asking for a receipt in video 3 were priceless!
I'll try that next time...if there is one.

pacificobob - 3-16-2021 at 05:16 PM

a local friend offers similar council. "never stop smiling in the course of the encounter" it works well.

JZ - 3-16-2021 at 05:59 PM

We always travel with MX nationals. I let them sort it out. My guidance to them: Pay the cop, but not too much, so we can be on our way and not waste time.

Probably get hit up once or twice a year. Usually $40-50.

John Harper - 3-16-2021 at 07:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
We always travel with MX nationals. I let them sort it out. My guidance to them: Pay the cop, but not too much, so we can be on our way and not waste time.

Probably get hit up once or twice a year. Usually $40-50.



I wonder how much it would cost you if you weren't traveling with "MX nationals?" What does that really buy you?

What do you teach your kids about giving in to corruption and not standing up for yourself? About right and wrong?

I'm kind of stunned at your rather "cavalier" response. Apparently, time is more valuable than your dignity.

John


[Edited on 3-17-2021 by John Harper]

JZ - 3-16-2021 at 07:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  


I wonder how much it would cost you if you weren't traveling with "MX nationals?" What does that really buy you?

What do you teach your kids about giving in to corruption and not standing up for yourself? About right and wrong?

I'm kind of stunned at your rather "cavalier" response. Apparently, time is more valuable than your dignity.

John



Maybe it's because of their mother, but the kids are the most polite and hard working kids I know.

How about yours? And have you gone back to in person learning or still riding with the corrupt school boards and unions?


motoged - 3-16-2021 at 08:38 PM

John,
You must know by now how Bwana travels.... kinda like how the upper class did in India and Africa a hundred and fifty years ago....

:rolleyes:

Hook - 3-16-2021 at 09:10 PM

I always find it humorous when persons who travel VERY LITTLE AND IN A LIMITED AREA in Mexico try to criticize those who travel OFTEN AND FAR-RANGING in Mexico.

I think the seasoned Nomad will know to whom I am referring, above.

My basic tenet is: if you're guilty and it's a PITA to go to the police station, negotiate a settlement on the spot.

But if you are innocent, stand your ground. They will usually back down.

There can be extenuating circumstances. Towing a large boat comes to mind. Towing a trailer full of personal belongings comes to mind. Who knows what the parking sitch at the station is like in larger towns? It might be easier to cut and run, if it can be negotiated down to a reasonable amount.

Taking the moral high road in Mexico doesn't seem to be real effective in solving corruption down there. I guess you have to live down there for months and years to see it. I doubt I will see corruption and mordida disappear in my lifetime.

If cops made 50k-150k in salary, had health insurance and a pension in Mexico, like they do in the States, it might be different.

RFClark - 3-16-2021 at 09:40 PM

After dealing and traveling in Mexico as well as much of the rest of the world for 50 years, Canada, Australia, Japan and China are the places where you don't grease government officials in cash. Mexico was far worse in the past then it is today.

Customs officials used to be the worst. Many wouldn’t take money directly from Americans so you had to get a Mexican national to make the payment for you. I haven’t had to pay a customs official off in 10 years.

Police in Mexico usually are happy with $20 though i think I’ve only paid police off 4 times in 40 years.

I’ve had to pay police off in the US too!

surabi - 3-16-2021 at 11:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
We always travel with MX nationals. I let them sort it out. My guidance to them: Pay the cop, but not too much, so we can be on our way and not waste time.

Probably get hit up once or twice a year. Usually $40-50.



$40-$50? And you think the Mexicans are "sorting it out" for you? What a mark. I've lived in Mexico for 20 years, have almost never gotten stopped, and only paid them off once so I could be on my way because I had an appointment to get to. 200 pesos.

JZ - 3-16-2021 at 11:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  


$40-$50? And you think the Mexicans are "sorting it out" for you? What a mark. I've lived in Mexico for 20 years, have almost never gotten stopped, and only paid them off once so I could be on my way because I had an appointment to get to. 200 pesos.



A "mark"? Maybe. Not too concerned about it.

You have told us that you rent out a room at the place you live. Separate entrance, and all. Personally, I would never do something like that.

I'm not judging you. We all make different decisions.


JZ - 3-17-2021 at 12:25 AM

So many on here want to just attack ppl.

In this thread we learn that if you state your opinion and approach to travel in MX, you get attacked? And are called a "mark" or told you have no "dignity."

Who are you to judge??

Don't forget that some ppl will fight back.





[Edited on 3-17-2021 by JZ]

John Harper - 3-17-2021 at 05:50 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  


Don't forget that some ppl will fight back.



Relax, Francis.

John

mtgoat666 - 3-17-2021 at 06:28 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
So many on here want to just attack ppl.

In this thread we learn that if you state your opinion and approach to travel in MX, you get attacked? And are called a "mark" or told you have no "dignity."

Who are you to judge??

Don't forget that some ppl will fight back.


Shorty mcjizzy,
You are feisty, wee little troll! So cute to see you little people fluff up your feathers!

pacificobob - 3-17-2021 at 06:58 AM

he's so cute when he's mad. if i was afraid to move around this country without " mx national " escorts i would certainly keep is a secret....

motoged - 3-17-2021 at 12:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  


..... You have told us that you rent out a room at the place you live. Separate entrance, and all. Personally, I would never do something like that.

I'm not judging you.


Slick,
You are totally about judging others... how do you try to walk this back? :

"have you gone back to in person learning or still riding with the corrupt school boards and unions? ".

Your efforts to try and be less of a putz aren't working very well lately.

But keep on trying.... you need a bit more of the humility thing going on.

jamiec - 3-17-2021 at 03:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  


My basic tenet is: if you're guilty and it's a PITA to go to the police station, negotiate a settlement on the spot.

But if you are innocent, stand your ground. They will usually back down.

There can be extenuating circumstances. Towing a large boat comes to mind. Towing a trailer full of personal belongings comes to mind. Who knows what the parking sitch at the station is like in larger towns? It might be easier to cut and run, if it can be negotiated down to a reasonable amount.



Very reasonable.

surabi - 3-17-2021 at 05:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  


You have told us that you rent out a room at the place you live. Separate entrance, and all. Personally, I would never do something like that.

I'm not judging you. We all make different decisions.




This thread is about paying bribes. Everytime a gringo passes out $50 bills for some bogus police stop, it reinforces the idea that all gringos have pockets full of disposable cash and that shaking people down is a lucrative occupation.

As long as foreigners go along with this, the corruption will continue and those who fall for it are 50% of the problem.

Lee - 3-17-2021 at 06:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by jamiec  
Quote: Originally posted by Hook  


My basic tenet is: if you're guilty and it's a PITA to go to the police station, negotiate a settlement on the spot.

But if you are innocent, stand your ground. They will usually back down.

There can be extenuating circumstances. Towing a large boat comes to mind. Towing a trailer full of personal belongings comes to mind. Who knows what the parking sitch at the station is like in larger towns? It might be easier to cut and run, if it can be negotiated down to a reasonable amount.



Very reasonable.


x3

advrider - 3-17-2021 at 07:59 PM

The guy had a good attitude and killed them with kindness, works like a charm. Even works in the US when you are being pulled over for a violation, attitude goes a long way.
I think he had some good information and used his charm to create a very enjoyable exchange. All of my interactions in Mexico have been good many enjoyable and fun. Often at check points the guys give us the sign to ride a wheelie, if we do stop it's always been good interaction..

Hook - 3-18-2021 at 02:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
...the idea that all gringos have pockets full of disposable cash and that shaking people down is a lucrative occupation.


Which is usually true. And like it or not, I don't see it changing any time soon; my approach is to relax, observe how the system works and try to go with the flow and keep it within reasonable bounds.

The ones who are really causing problems are those who commit some minor, negotiable infraction and end up paying the official a couple hundred dollars out of ignorance and fear. That's vile extortion, not mordida, and is likely to up the bar beyond "reasonable" bounds and cause the system to implode in likely unpleasant ways.


Boy, this is so true. I think a thousand pesos is about my upper limit. And it would have to be a bad infraction. Nothing involving cars with impact. I'll let the insurance take care of that.

advrider - 3-18-2021 at 03:10 PM

Like the couple in the video from a month ago that paid $500 US dollars for having legal CBD oil! You could tell the guy shaking them down was nervous and was trying make them hurry up and pay. Maybe it was staged for their youtube channel to get views? See below...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQMCD3Srm10

[Edited on 3-18-2021 by advrider]

[Edited on 3-18-2021 by advrider]

motoged - 3-18-2021 at 04:21 PM

Bringing fuel into Baja has sometimes been a problem....and it appears the woman presented the oil to the guard and asked if it was okay.....what a crew.



[Edited on 3-18-2021 by motoged]