Mexico's judicial system has granted the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) broad powers to freeze bank accounts. Now, the UIF can freeze assets without a court order if there are suspicions of money laundering or terrorist financing. This decision, made by the Supreme Court on April 6, 2026, has affected many citizens not involved in criminal activities. As explained by Genaro Eliseo Gómez Muñoz, a member of the Money Laundering Prevention and Anti-Corruption Commission of the Mexican Institute of Public Accountants (IMCP), 'unfortunately, the innocent will pay for the sinners' in the application of this ruling. Accounts can be frozen for individuals who conduct cash transactions beyond the limits set by law. These include operations such as buying and selling new or used cars, watches, jewelry, precious metals and stones, as well as purchasing tickets for lotteries and contests. Similar risks exist when armored vehicle and real estate services are used, when buying or selling shares or business interests, and when leasing real estate or vehicles. If someone exceeds the established limits or if there are signs of unusual or illegal activity in a transaction, the UIF will apply a preventive account freeze to continue its investigation. The same happens if a company, knowingly or unknowingly, is involved in illegal schemes, such as using 'factureros' (shell companies). In such cases, even payroll accounts are frozen, and employees do not receive their salaries. 'These are collateral damages,' pointed out Gómez Muñoz. After an account is frozen, a judicial process begins. The freeze itself is a preventive measure, not a sanction. The bank notifies the account holder of the reasons for the freeze and their inclusion in the Blocked Persons List. From the next business day, the holder has five business days to request a guaranteed hearing from the UIF. Once the request is submitted, the UIF must grant the hearing within the next 10 business days for the person to present evidence and arguments. The UIF must then decide within the next 15 business days whether to include the affected person in the list, providing reasons for its resolution. If there are elements of money laundering, the UIF files a complaint with the Attorney General's Office (FGR) and initiates criminal proceedings. An expert on money laundering from the IMCP also highlighted that other operations can also be affected: cash deposits exceeding 15,000 pesos per month, receiving remittances, student allowances, and even corporate payroll accounts. Banks report all unusual operations and cash deposits over the monthly limit to the SAT and the UIF. If the analysis reveals signs of money laundering or illegality, account freezing follows. Thus, even innocent actions, such as receiving a student stipend through a friend, can lead to funds being frozen.
