Authorities in Mexico have accused Nancy Napoles, the municipal president of Tenancingo, of allegedly faking her own kidnapping as part of a scheme to divert about 40 million pesos (roughly $2.3 million) in public funds under the guise of paying a ransom.
According to prosecutors, Napoles was reportedly abd¥cted at g¥npoint by armed men who forced her into a vehicle.
Investigators say the alleged kidnappers later threatened to kill her and her family unless a ransom of 40 million pesos was paid.
They allegedly suggested that if the money could not be raised privately, resources from the local government should be used.
However, the alleged plan reportedly began to unravel when a witness who saw the incident alerted police, prompting a search operation that investigators believe forced those involved to abandon the scheme.
Authorities said testimony from three arrested suspects, described as the kidnappers, led to the investigation. Prosecutors claim inconsistencies were later discovered in Napoles’ account, and investigators concluded that her husband and brother-in-law allegedly orchestrated the fake abd¥ction to justify the disappearance of public funds that had already been embezzled.
Napoles, a member of the ruling Morena party of President Claudia Sheinbaum, has denied any wrongdoing.
In a video posted on social media, she described the allegations as politically motivated and said she is willing to cooperate with authorities so those truly responsible can be held accountable.
Prosecutors have summoned her to testify on July 9 regarding the alleged kidnapping simulation. No arrest warrant has been issued against her, although her husband and brother-in-law are reportedly wanted by authorities and remain at large.
