Tulum Targets Fraudulent Construction Permit Ring

Tulum Mayor Diego Castañón Trejo announced that his administration has launched a formal investigation with the Fiscalía into a criminal group allegedly issuing fraudulent construction licenses to local developers.

The announcement marks a significant escalation in the municipal government’s efforts to regulate the local real estate sector. Officials discovered the existence of forged documents, including fake receipts and permits that were never processed through the Department of Urban Development. This discovery threatens the legal standing of projects underway and undermines the municipality’s urban planning framework.

“We are calling on all developers because we have learned that there are people providing fake licenses,” Mayor Castañón Trejo said during a press briefing. He confirmed that the administration is working closely with the State Attorney General’s Office to dismantle the operation.

The gravity of the situation lies in the potential for long-term legal and financial damage to investors. By bypassing official channels, these fraudulent permits leave developers vulnerable to project shutdowns, heavy fines, and a complete lack of legal protection.

Investigators have already identified four to five individuals allegedly involved in the scheme. While their identities remain confidential to protect the integrity of the ongoing legal process, the Mayor signaled that the crackdown is just beginning. The investigation uncovered documents that were backdated by as much as three to five months to appear legitimate, despite never being registered in official government archives.

The administration is now urging all citizens and real estate companies to perform an immediate audit of their documentation. Developers are advised to go directly to the offices of Urban Development to verify the authenticity of their licenses with the director.

“It is very important that you go to the office so that we can proceed with the proper procedures,” Castañón Trejo emphasized. He reiterated that his government will not tolerate irregular practices that jeopardize the order and certainty of the municipality.

As the investigation progresses, the administration has promised transparency. The Mayor stated that once the legal requirements are met, the names of those involved will be made public to prevent further victimizing the community. For now, the focus remains on securing the urban landscape and ensuring that every project in Tulum follows the rule of law.

Should the names of individuals involved in municipal fraud be made public immediately or after conviction? Join the conversation and share your perspective with us on Instagram and Facebook at @thetulumtimes.