Profeco Warns of Potential Scams in Themed Races Promoted by Mundo Runner
The Mexican Federal Consumer Procurator (Profeco) recently issued an alert regarding possible scams in supposed themed races organized by supplier Mundo Runner, following complaints from runners who reported payments for non-existent events. The races in question were promoted with Star Wars and Merlina themes, allegedly scheduled for January 18 in Mexico City and February 1 in Guadalajara, Jalisco. In response, Profeco advised against trusting this provider and making payments via bank transfer.
“We Were Scammed”: Runners Denunciate Non-Existent Races Promoted on Social Media
The Profeco alert came amid public denunciations from runners who claimed to be victims of fraud related to the Star Wars-themed race promoted by Mundo Runner. In a video shared on Facebook, a user named Olivia Luna detailed her experience of registering for the race after seeing an ad on Instagram from a page identified as Mundo Runner.
According to her testimony, the registration process was online, and payment was requested via bank transfer. Although she found this unusual, she decided to proceed. “They scammed me, several friends, acquaintances, and more people,” Olivia stated, noting that at least four individuals from her group made the payment. Others, even from Puebla, traveled to run in the supposed competition after registering through the same method.
The affected individuals followed the instructions on the page, made the transfer, and received directions to collect their runner kit. However, upon arriving at the designated location, they found no trace of the event or its organizers. “We went to collect the kit and there was nothing,” Olivia recounted, describing the situation as “sad” and “an abuse.” She emphasized that many affected individuals only wanted to participate in a recreational run and trusted the event’s advertising.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the red flags to watch out for when signing up for a race? Verify the organizer’s physical address, contact details, and official confirmation after payment. Be cautious of direct bank transfers without clear guarantees or institutional backing, lack of local authorizations, recognized sponsors, or confirmed venues. Be skeptical of events heavily promoted on social media without institutional support and excessively attractive prizes, which are often signs of potential scams.
- Where can I report a possible scam? If you suspect digital fraud or deception, contact the Preventive Cybercrime Police of the Secretariat for Urban Security at [email protected]. To initiate a complaint procedure, send an email to [email protected] with your full name, phone number, and case details.
Stay Informed and Protect Yourself
Following the denunciations and Profeco’s guidance, runners should review these key points before paying for a race registration:
- Organizer Information: Ensure the provider lists a verifiable physical address, contact numbers, and communication channels.
- Official Confirmation: Be wary if you don’t receive a confirmation email or detailed event information after payment.
- Payment Methods: Avoid direct bank transfers when there are no clear guarantees or institutional support.
- Endorsements and Permits: Check if the race has local authorizations, recognized sponsors, or confirmed venues.
- Viral Promotions and Attractive Prizes: Be cautious of events heavily promoted on social media without institutional backing and excessively attractive prizes, which are often signs of potential scams.
