The mayor of Cuauhtémoc, Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, presented an initiative in the Congress of Mexico City as part of the 'Cuauhtémoc Free from Extortion Plan'. The objective of this proposal is to increase penalties for those who commit extortion through phone calls or digital means, in an effort to benefit the residents of the borough and all capital residents.
Accompanied by Andrés Atayde, coordinator of the Parliamentary Group of the National Action Party in the Congress of CDMX, as well as by members of the legislature from that party, the mayor emphasized the concerning situation faced by citizens due to this crime. In this context, the aim is to reform Article 211 BIS of the Penal Code of Mexico City to harden penalties for those who use technological means to commit extortion.
Rojo de la Vega explained that it is proposed to increase penalties for those who simulate the existence of financial or governmental companies through digital, telephonic, or computer means to access fraudulent financial operations. The initiative also includes the incorporation of a Fraud and Extortion Investigation Unit in the Organic Law of the Attorney General's Office of Justice of Mexico City.
The mayor emphasized the urgency of adapting laws to the current reality, marked by the growing use of digital tools for committing crimes. Given alarming figures of fraudulent calls in the capital, it is proposed to amend the Law of Social Prevention of Crime and Violence to effectively address this problem. Every day, thousands of cases of fraud and extortion are reported throughout Mexico.
The 'Cuauhtémoc Free from Extortion Plan' also includes the creation of an 'Anti-extortion Distinction' for borough officials who pass trust exams, in order to guarantee their integrity. Additionally, it is projected to establish professional training modules in the neighborhoods of Cuauhtémoc to provide job opportunities for those who complete the courses. Rojo de la Vega emphasized that generating opportunities is the best strategy to prevent the commission of crimes and promote peace in the community.
