Mexico’s Housing for Well-Being Program Faces WhatsApp Scam Alert

The Mexican government is warning citizens about fraudulent messages circulating on WhatsApp and social media platforms that falsely promise registration for housing support programs. The National Housing Commission (Conavi) has issued a public alert to prevent individuals from falling victim to scams exploiting the name of the “Housing for Well-Being” initiative.

The “Housing for Well-Being” Initiative

Launched by President Claudia Sheinbaum, the “Housing for Well-Being” program aims to ensure all Mexican citizens have access to housing or the ability to remodel their existing properties. The initiative will provide housing credits or rental alternatives to eligible beneficiaries, with the participation of the National Workers’ Housing Fund Institute (Infonavit) and Conavi.

Details of the Housing Plan

Conavi is responsible for constructing 500,000 homes during President Sheinbaum’s term, with a goal of building 50,000 homes this year. Construction on up to 18,000 homes across 26 plots in 18 states began in February. 100,000 credits for home improvements are planned for the eastern area of the State of Mexico by 2025. Priority access to these credits will be given to vulnerable groups, including single mothers, indigenous populations, seniors, people with disabilities, and youth.

How the Scams Operate

Scammers are using institutional logos, names of official programs, and government-sounding language to gain trust. They are requesting personal data, such as the Unique Population Registry Code (CURP), telephone numbers, addresses, and even demanding payments to “secure” a place in the programs – a practice authorities state is entirely false. Fraudulent messages often contain links to fake websites or misleading forms designed to steal sensitive information.

Red Flags to Identify Fraudulent Messages

• Messages originating from unofficial government channels.
• Links that do not end in “.gob.mx”.
• Requests for personal or banking information.
• Offers featuring official logos from unknown numbers.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message

• Do not open links or share personal information.
• Verify information only on official government portals.
• Report attempted fraud to the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection or the Federal Consumer Protection Agency.

Protecting Yourself

Authorities emphasize that the best way to prevent these deceptions is to always check information on official pages and avoid sharing personal data with strangers.