FIVE MEN FOUND TAPED UP IN MEXICO’S ‘BATMAN’ MYSTERY
Men were found taped up in public in Mexico, and the internet nicknamed whoever did it the Lagos de Moreno Batman.
Between June 13 and June 19, 2026, at least five men were found restrained with tape in public areas of Lagos de Moreno, a municipality in Jalisco, Mexico, Dexerto reported on June 26, 2026.
Photos of the scenes spread online. Some showed motorcycles nearby, some people had their mouths taped, and some had marks on their faces.
El Financiero reported that Jalisco prosecutor Salvador González de los Santos said signs left at the scenes read “eso les va a pasar si siguen robando motos” (“this will happen to them if they keep stealing motorcycles”).
How the cases unfolded
The first case came on June 13, 2026, when a young man was found tied to a post with tape and apparent signs of injury. A cardboard sign at the scene called him a “ratero,” or thief, Radio Costa reported.
More people were found restrained on June 17, but the accounts differ. Milenio reported that two young men turned up in the Nuevo Santa María neighborhood. Radio Costa reported three people were found that day.
Another person was found restrained on June 19, 2026.
The people found tied up reportedly received medical attention for their injuries.
What officials said
Jalisco State Security Secretary Juan Pablo Hernández said five cases had been documented. He also said two vehicles possibly connected to the incidents had been identified and that no suspects had been detained, Dexerto reported.
Authorities said they were investigating both the allegations of motorcycle theft and the assaults and unlawful restraint of the men. Milenio reported that the Fiscalía confirmed it had opened investigation files.
González de los Santos said investigators were examining the allegations against the men who were found tied up. But he said that “en este momento son víctimas” (“at this moment they are victims”).
A Fiscalía spokesperson told El País: “No tenemos claridad todavía en torno a quién o quiénes cometieron estas agresiones, y en consecuencia, tampoco sabemos si se trata de una o varias personas; o si hay relación entre los hechos.”
In English: “We still don’t have clarity about who committed these attacks, and as a result, we also don’t know whether it is one or several people, or whether the events are related.”
El País also reported that names and any possible gang or cartel affiliations of the men had not been disclosed.
The nickname took off
“Batman” is a label from social media, not an official identity, and who is behind the incidents remains unknown. English-language posts about the story pulled in thousands of likes and millions of impressions, Dexerto reported.
Some online reactions praised the incidents as vigilante justice. Others warned that they reflected frustration with crime and law enforcement.
An October 14, 2026 update to El Financiero’s report still described the investigations as open. It identified no arrest, charge or other new outcome in the case.
