Canirac reports 65 telephone extortion attempts against restaurateurs in Mexicali.

BAJA CALIFORNIA (apro) .- So far in 2025, the restaurant sector in the municipality of Mexicali, Baja California, has faced 65 extortion phone calls, revealed the president of the local National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac), Diego Valenzuela Villa.

The businessman made this statement to the press after a meeting held on Monday, October 20, with the Attorney General's Office of the State of Baja California (FGE), attended by its head, Ma. Elena Andrade Ramírez.

"We have an estimated 65 cases so far this year. However, with reports and where they have not arrived," Valenzuela Villa told the media.

Attorney General Ma. Elena Andrade added that by hanging up on these types of calls, these individuals are "disarmed" and prevented from achieving their goal.

"Of taking over the victim's mind. We've even had cases where they've locked themselves in hotel rooms, where they've made them go to ATMs when those people aren't there. They're very, very far away, even from the State," he explained.

The state official said they've even had "comical cases," with victims mocking and hanging up on their attackers.

Valenzuela Villa explained that the reason for approaching the FGE is this crime, while also mentioning that they have addressed it through training for their members; according to their figures, there are more than 13,000 members representing more than 600,000 establishments in the Baja California capital.

"It's a matter of protocol, and we have to know how to answer, hang up, and file the corresponding complaint," he commented.

The president of the Canirac Mexicali branch added that they do file reports and that their goal is "to frustrate them" so that people don't hand over money.