Cybersecurity Gaps Persist as Digital Fraud Accelerates in Mexico

While Mexico advances in digital maturity, fraud remains the primary obstacle to digital trust. Although eight out of 10 users feel capable of protecting themselves online, nearly 80% faced scam attempts in the previous year, reveals the Global Cybersecurity Study 2025 by Mastercard.

“Mexico is experiencing a historic acceleration in digital payments and financial services. This progress opens a strategic opportunity: to consolidate trust as the main driver of economic growth,” says Marcos Peralta, Vice President, Customer Solutions Center, Mastercard North Latin America. When cybersecurity is integrated from design, innovation can scale responsibly and generate sustained value for consumers, companies, and the financial system as a whole.”

The proliferation of electronic payments, online banking, and digital commerce has accelerated the digital maturity of the country. However, 36% of consumers identify fraud and scams as their greatest source of frustration during digital transactions. Trust remains concentrated in established financial institutions at 76%, and global payment networks at 66%, which are perceived as the most stable actors for protecting assets and personal data.

This digital environment also faces local operational challenges. Michelle Olmos, Head, C5I Aguascalientes, explains that cybersecurity extends beyond social media to any platform connected to the internet. 

“The simple fact of having a cell phone, a messaging application, or making online purchases implies the generation of data that can be used improperly if basic protection measures are not in place. Hyperconnectivity is part of daily life for communication, work, and education, but it is also exploited by criminals using sophisticated methods to obtain personal information,” says Olmos.

Risk Vectors and Institutional Responses

Cybercrime trends in the region indicate a shift toward engineering-based deception rather than complex technological intrusions. In Aguascalientes, the Cyber Police department handles an average of 70 calls daily regarding electronic fraud. Many of these interactions are preventive, suggesting a growing culture of reporting among citizens. However, account hijacking remains prevalent, often occurring when victims voluntarily provide verification codes to criminals posing as delivery services or banking institutions.

The study conducted by Mastercard identifies phishing and fraudulent calls as the most common threats. The incidence of these crimes varies significantly by age group. Seniors report a 28% incidence rate, while younger consumers report a 17% incidence rate.

Furthermore, the emergence of AI to create fraudulent content represents a new challenge for the industry. Only 15% of respondents express full confidence in their ability to identify AI-generated deceptions. This lack of certainty requires financial entities to implement more advanced verification systems to maintain consumer confidence.

Cybersecurity is a critical factor for market competition among smaller businesses. According to the report, 78% of consumers state that, following a fraud event, they would choose to shop only at well-known or larger retailers. This behavior creates a risk of digital exclusion for SMEs that do not integrate advanced security solutions, as consumers migrate toward brands with perceived technological robustness.

To counter these threats, C5I Aguascalientes uses geolocation technology to determine the origin of fraudulent calls, including those originating from penitentiary centers. The creation of the Specialized Unit for Cybercrime Attention within the State Attorney General Office has strengthened the legal follow-up for identity theft, unauthorized account access, and digital violence.

Specific attention is provided to the protection of minors. When inappropriate images are detected, authorities can intervene to request the removal of content within about one hour. In previous years, about 1,700 reports led to the deletion of more than 500,000 photographs across various digital platforms and the dark web.