NEVER GET IN A TAXI THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE DRIVERS I.D. CARD - PERIOD.
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> MEXICO CITY TAXI ROBBERIES
>
> For tourists, perhaps the most serious crime problem in Mexico is taxi
> robbery in Mexico City. This problem is more or less unique to Mexico
> City, so many tourists are not aware of the problem. The governments
> of the US, UK, Canada, France and Australia warn travelers of taxi
> robberies. I have also read several first person accounts of taxi
> robberies, via the internet and in the media. Taxi robberies in
> Mexico City have been covered in US and Mexico media, both TV and
> newspapers. Basically, anybody who knows Mexico knows that taxi
> robberies are a problem in Mexico City, and takes certain precautions
> to prevent themselves becoming a victim. The exact recommendations may
> vary, but it is unwise to ignore the problem and pretend that "It
> can't happen to me."
>
> A taxi robbery generally works something like this: The victim or
> victims get into a taxi, usually a green VW beetle taxi. After a few
> blocks, the taxi stops, and one or two armed men enter the taxi and
> rob the victim. In many cases, the victim is held for hours while the
> robbers use the victim's ATM card to get more money. This is
> sometimes called a "fast food" kidnapping. In a few cases, the victim
> is held overnight to allow withdrawing more money the next day. The
> taxi driver is part of the gang, and may have stolen the taxi. In
> some cases, a waiter or hotel employee may also be part of the gang.
>
> In one article that I read, the robbers found out that they were
> robbing a reporter. While he was being held at gunpoint on the floor
> of the taxi, they told him not to write anything bad about Mexico! An
> American resident of Mexico City was killed in a daylight taxi robbery
> in December 1997. An American reporter was shot in a taxi robbery
> April 20, 1998. The personal accounts that I have read indicate that
> a taxi robbery, even if you are unhurt, is a very traumatic
> experience.
>
> So, what can you do to protect yourself from taxi robberies? Use the
> official sitio taxis at the airport and bus stations. Buy a ticket at
> the window, and take that ticket to the official taxi stand. If there |