Before coming to Mexico, I had been warned. My family and friends said it is not a safe place to be as a lady ~ especially alone.
Have I listened? You know the answer. I did a bit of research but it didn't really scare me. My cousin Ina even feared I might get kidnapped based on how I look.
As I had been fine in several cities alone and was safe, I took it as a small hiccup. Besides, I found this beautiful place in Tulum that I was considering living in for at least 3 months. My kind of aesthetic ~ I was excited.
How bad can Mexico be? I had to find out for myself.
And… I did. Funny thing was, what I read online really did happen to me. I got extorted by the police.
01A Perfect Day Before the Nightmare
It was a beautiful day and I scooted my way to the beach zone. I went to this eco-beach resort called Amansala ~ I thought of working there for a day, so I brought my laptop.
Heavenly view and lunch by the sea. Sipping healthy greens while working on my goals. The dream. Even better ~ I got to meet the owner. She was struggling with some tech stuff and I managed to help her out. She offered me an opportunity to work there ~ free lodging, free food, waking up next to the sea every day.
We lost track of time and it was 8 PM. I had a meeting at 9 PM. So I said goodbye and scooted my way back.
And so the nightmare began.
02The Police Follow
As I scooted back home, I spotted a police car near a local pollo place ~ thinking they were just grabbing a bite. I passed them and continued on my way. A few minutes later, I noticed them behind me. My heart raced.
Instead of heading straight to my destination, I decided to take a right turn, hoping they'd lose interest. But no. They followed. It was dark, and the more I tried to stay calm, the more nervous I became. Somehow I found myself near a cemetery ~ and the police car? Still right behind me.
Then they beeped at me.
What? I hadn't done anything wrong. They beeped again. Then I stopped.
03The Masked Officers
Two cops, their faces obscured by black masks, stepped out of their car. My heart was pounding as they instructed me to turn off my scooter and hand over my license.
One officer inspected my license with dissatisfaction. He claimed I wasn't driving properly ~ which was baffling since they'd been following me since I was stationary. The second officer began rummaging through my belongings, repeating, “Do you have drugs?” ~ three times, like a broken record.
His expression soured when he found nothing, and that's when I started to cry. The masks confirmed my worst fear: this was an extortion attempt.
Mistake #1
It was only 8 PM ~ not that late ~ but for a female in Mexico, maybe 6 PM should have been my cutoff.
The officer, barely able to speak English, asked “Are you a tourist?” ~ “I live here now.” ~ “Are you Mexican?” ~ “No.”
Boom. He said I was in trouble for my driving. I didn't think to ask what the specific violation was or demand a ticket ~ fear had taken over. I just kept apologising, explaining I was only trying to get home. Mistake #2.
All while the second cop kept rifling through my things. I was terrified they'd take my laptop ~ but strangely, it didn't interest them. The first officer dropped the act.
“Give us something valuable.”
Of course. That was the real reason they stopped me.
I offered 200 pesos ~ scoffed. 500 pesos ~ still no deal. He suggested I withdraw more money. I refused, tears streaming down my face.
Finally: “Leave your AirPods and charger, and we'll let you go.” Oddly, I felt a wave of relief. I even negotiated ~ “Can I keep my charger? I need it to contact my parents.” He agreed.
It's strange how fear shifts your perspective ~ the Contrast Principle in action. I'd been so worried about my laptop that the request for my AirPods seemed almost reasonable. I handed them over, desperate for the ordeal to end.
They drove off. I was left shaking ~ but it was still dark and I needed to get home. No signal, no internet.
When I finally gathered my belongings, I realised the second officer had already taken all the cash from my bag. That was their plan all along: one officer distracts while the other steals.
When I reached my hotel I told them what happened. They were empathetic and urged me to report it. We called 911 that night ~ and the next day?
I'll save that story for my next post. Spoiler: Find My AirPods is the shit. And they only had one bud.
046 Lessons from This Extortion
No Nighttime Scootering
If you're a solo traveler who looks young and carefree, don't give trouble a reason to notice you after sunset. Be home before dark ~ full stop.
When Stopped: Ask and Question
When a cop stops you, politely ask "What's my violation?" and don't be shy about requesting a ticket. According to Mexican law, your first ticket as a foreigner is more like a free souvenir than a fine.
Carry Light, Think Bright
If you don't need it, don't carry it. Stash emergency cash and essentials in a separate spot ~ somewhere on your body where we need not speak of.
Fear Is the Worst GPS
Fear always steers you wrong. When you're scared, your brain just screams "survive" instead of "analyze." Practice staying calm so you can ask, "What law am I breaking?"
Always Call Your Support Crew
Your hotel isn't just for fluffy pillows and fresh towels. When the unexpected hits, they can be your local emergency squad. Report what happened ~ solidarity feels better than facing it alone.
The Contrast Principle
When you think your laptop's about to be stolen and they ask for your AirPods instead, suddenly that deal doesn't sound half bad. Understanding this psychological trick can help you react more rationally when the stakes feel sky-high.
Travel is an adventure, full of unexpected plot twists.
While I'd prefer fewer masked men in mine, this story showed me that resilience is my secret superpower. And next time, I'll be more prepared ~ with a backup pair of cheap earbuds.
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