Chinese World Cup fans robbed at gunpoint in Mexico, gun pressed to one man's head

Two Chinese football fans were allegedly robbed at gunpoint shortly after landing in Mexico City for the World Cup, in an attack that left one of them with a gun pressed against his head.

According to City News Service, the two men, identified only by their surnames Wang and Li, landed in Mexico City on the evening of Jun. 10, and were on their way from the airport to their hotel when they were targeted.

"They pointed a gun at our heads"

Li told reporters the robbery happened around 7:20pm, less than an hour after they touched down.

He said:

"Our local driver had just picked us up. About 1 kilometre from the airport, we were robbed at gunpoint. One person carried out the robbery while another waited on a motorcycle. They pointed a gun at our heads, took our belongings and fled."

Wang described the attackers as two men on a motorcycle who demanded "watch" as their first word. He recalled the attackers pressing the gun against his head twice.

He said:

"They spoke very fiercely. They pointed the gun at my head and pressed it hard against me twice. I still have the mark now."

The entire ordeal purportedly lasted 30 to 40 seconds. The attackers took both men's watches, as well as a bag belonging to one of them containing a tablet, cash, and a passport. Their driver also handed over his belongings, though the robbers left those behind as they were of little value.

Wang said:

"I didn't really feel scared in the moment, but afterwards I was terrified. My head kept hurting."

After reaching their hotel, the two men reported the incident to local police. Li alleged that officers who arrived at the scene allegedly demanded payment before leaving.

The two men also contacted China's overseas consular protection hotline. The Chinese Embassy in Mexico was alerted and reached out to the victims, helped expedite replacement travel documents, and raised the case with Mexican authorities.

Wang said:

"The embassy could protect our safety right away, and I deeply felt how much our country looks out for us. I want to get home as soon as possible."

Wang said he had originally planned to continue on to Los Angeles after the World Cup, but decided to fly home immediately after the robbery. He urged others travelling abroad not to flaunt their wealth and to travel in groups.

One suspect arrested

Mexican authorities told the Chinese Embassy on Jun. 13 that one suspect had been detained, though the investigation remains ongoing and no information has been released on whether the stolen items were recovered.

The two men managed to board a flight home less than 48 hours after the robbery.

Embassy issues fresh safety advisory

Following the incident, the Chinese Embassy in Mexico issued a fresh safety advisory for Chinese citizens in the country, urging them to stay alert when out at night, avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuables, and keep travel documents separate from cash and valuables.

The embassy advised that anyone facing robbery, kidnapping, or armed attacks should prioritise their personal safety, call 911 once safe, and contact the embassy.