Sentri Line Scam | Warning

January 3rd, 2024 by freeartpsychedelics

CBP funnels traffic right before the CBP check stations as you get closer allowing vehicles from the east and south approaches to merge. Have passports/visas ready to show and let them know how many in your vehicle if not obvious. From there, you can continue to "all traffic" lanes, or Sentri lanes to the left/west. We approached from the east side along the border wall.

May 19th, 2023 by davidpoeschl

We got caught in this one. Got advised to do a u turn into ongoing traffic straight into the hands of a waiting cop.
He was nice and after some discussion, let us go.
Save yourself some hassle; approach the border from the east along the border wall.

February 6th, 2023 by nedkelly

Scam is still alive and kicking. The worst part is the US border guard instructing me to follow the guys who then lead you in a round about way to the cop who demanded $80 for a ‘ticket.’
I held onto my license, (don’t let them take that). Didn’t have any cash on me. Then just drove to the border line.

January 21st, 2023 by jaworski.sims

Got pulled over by a cop as I accidentally went the wrong way down a one way street - my bad. I was lost and having trouble finding the entry to cross the border. Ended up settling for 45 USD with him and he said he would bring me to the border line up. He brought me to the Sentri line and like previous commenters said I was approached by locals who told me in a panic that I was in the wrong line and that they would help me out. “Helped” me. Long story short I gave them the 250 pesos I had leftover but the guy wanted 80 USD. Told him to go away and that this was a scam and as I was already in the lineup he left. I just want to let other travellers, especially first time gringos like myself, be clear of where you’re going!

January 8th, 2023 by ashleykbyles

GPS directed us to the border, a police car stopped us in our jeep towing trailer, told us to back up and cannot go forwards, a pedestrian asked us if we had sentri or normal and backed us out and onto another street and seemed to be very worried for us, some cops followed us and he showed us where to pull over safely, he said he needed 40 American for the cops and we didn’t have any on us, he ran with the pecos we had left and the cop walked up to the car demanded all American cash we might have and then told us we had to pay a ticket 6000 pecos for impeding on traffic (no physical ticket was shown) since there was a language barrier and we insisted we had no cash he told us 3000 peco eventually we got him to agree to 1000 and he escorted us to the bank, and told us he would show us the normal border entry after paying. Then, told us to cut line (with help of pedestrian) who also was told by the cops we would pay him 20 American.

April 30th, 2022 by simplevanplan

Accidentally got in the "Sentri Line" for the border crossing (Mexico to US.) Two locals walking up and down the street asked us if we had a "sentri pass" when we said no, they told us we were in the wrong lane and helped us get to the right one (several U-turns and driving on one way streets...)
When we got to the right lane, we offered them 40 pesos but insisted on 40 dollars. We refused and for 30mins they walked alongside our car insisting on the 40 dollars and threatening us with a ticket.
We didn't give them the money and afterwards googled it: If you go thru the Sentri lane and you don't have a sentri pass, the border patrol will ask you to go back to the right lane. They will not give you a ticket