Travelers Report Rise In The “Wristband” Scam In Cancun & Playa Del Carmen

You’re walking down the vibrant 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen, enjoying the sights and sounds of a perfect evening in paradise. Suddenly, a well-dressed, smiling man makes eye contact and walks directly toward you. “Hey! I know you from the resort!” he says confidently. “Remember me? I’m Jose, your server from the lobby bar. How is your stay going?”

He’s friendly, he’s smooth, and he knows the name of your hotel because he’s glanced at the brightly colored, custom-designed all-inclusive wristband on your arm.

This is the start of a sophisticated scam that, according to a rising number of traveler reports online, is becoming increasingly common in the busiest tourist areas of Cancun and the Riviera Maya. It’s a trick that turns your resort wristband—a symbol of your relaxing vacation—into a target on your back. Here at The Cancun Sun, we’ve analyzed the firsthand accounts to give you a clear warning on how this scam works and how to easily avoid it.

How The Sophisticated Scam Works

The success of this scam lies in its disarming simplicity and confidence. Scammers work in busy tourist areas and are masters at quickly and discreetly reading the name of the resort printed on your wristband. They then use this single piece of information to create an instant, false sense of familiarity.

By approaching you as a friendly employee from your hotel, they immediately lower your guard. Most travelers are relaxed and happy, and their first instinct isn’t to distrust a seemingly helpful server or bartender. The scammer will make small talk, ask about your dinner, and try to solidify this false connection. Once they have your trust, they pivot to one of two common endgames.

Endgame 1: The Fake Charity Story

As one traveler recently reported, after the scammer established himself as “Jose from the resort,” he launched into a sad story about being on his day off, helping his grandfather raise money for a handicap foundation. He was smooth, charming, and reeled the couple in with the sweet story. They were led to a nearby table of cheap jewelry, told the proceeds went to the “foundation,” and walked away $150 lighter. To complete the deception, the scammer even promised to leave free “VIP T-shirts” for them at the hotel lobby. Of course, the t-shirts never appeared.

Endgame 2: The “Cool Places” Lure

Another common goal is to get you isolated. After the friendly small talk, the scammer will say something like, “You guys looking to party tonight? The resort bars are okay, but I know some really cool, local places.”

Their intention is to lead you to a specific bar or club where you will be charged outrageous prices for drinks, or where you could be put into a more vulnerable position for theft. They rely on travelers letting their guard down because they believe they are with a “friend” from their trusted hotel.

How to Protect Yourself

Avoiding this scam is simple once you know what to look for.

• Be Skeptical of Off-Property Encounters: Any hotel employee who approaches you in public, far from the resort, should be met with immediate, polite skepticism. Their job is at the hotel, not on 5th Avenue.
• Don’t Confirm or Deny: Don’t engage their story. A simple, “Sorry, I don’t remember you,” and then immediately walking away is your most powerful defense. Don’t try to be polite and figure out if you do know them.

• Discreetly Cover Your Wristband: When walking in very crowded public areas, it’s not a bad idea to simply cover your wristband with a sleeve, a watch, or a “scrunchie.” If they can’t see your resort’s name, their trick doesn’t work.

By being aware of this one simple trick, you can ensure that the only people you’re talking to are genuine friends you make along the way.

Staying aware on the street is your first line of defense, but that same sharp eye is just as important when you sit down for a meal, where travelers report a troubling rise in sophisticated “dinner scams.”

Safe travels!