Online Scams & Fraud in Brazil
Brazil continues to see an increase in the number of scams. The country continues to be one of the most targeted for phishing and identity threats, with email scams being the most common. Over 55% of Brazilians have been targeted for either email scams or phone scams.
Both the federal and state governments have developed mechanisms to fight scams. There are close to 1000 consumer protection agencies, otherwise known as PROCONs, which are funded by both the state and local municipalities.
Read on to find out more about where you can report scams in Brazil and everything else you need to keep safe while browsing online.
Scam Statistics in Brazil
The key statistics on online fraud in Brazil, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance.
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Population | 209.3 million | 211 million | 212.6 million | 214 million |
| Internet Penetration | 70% | 94.9% | 71% |
75% |
| # of Scams | 5.3 million | 613,450 | 125 million | 117.7 million |
| Scams / 1,000 | 25 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 550 |
| Scams / 1,000 | €100 million | € 95 million | € 438 million | €726.2 million |
| Money Lost / Capita | €0.50 | € 0.45 | € 2.06 | €3.39 |
| Money Lost / Report | €19 | € 155 | € 3.49 | € 6.17 |
The figures in the table differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending availability.
Where Can I Report a Scam in Brazil?
Scam victims in Brazil can report their cases to:
- Federal Police (Polícia Federal): The Federal Police in Brazil handles cybercrime investigations. You can report online scams to the Federal Police by visiting their website or contacting your local Federal Police office. They have a Cybercrime Division that deals with internet-related offenses.
- Centro de Estudos, Resposta e Tratamento de Incidentes de Segurança no Brasil (CERT.br)- You can report any phishing attempt or any phishing attempt that has been made against your email or phone. You can reach them through your cert@cert.br
- SaferNet Brazil: SaferNet is a Brazilian non-governmental organization that combats Internet crime in partnership with the Federal Public Ministry. They have a helpline for reporting internet crimes, including online scams.
How to Report a Scam in Brazil?
Reporting a Scam is crucial. At the moment only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0,05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.
- Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report.
- Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
- Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
- Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.
Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.
Scam Victim Support in Brazil
There is limited information about where scam victims can get support in Brazil. That being said, you can try reaching out to the nearly 1,000 PROCON organizations found throughout the country for support.
How to Check for a Scam in Brazil
One of the ways you can check for scams is through ScamAdviser.com. Nevertheless, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services. Here are some helpful places you can check;
- The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil)-This is part of the Ombudsman's Office and people can visit to check if a company is a scam.
- The Central Bank of Brazil (BCB)- They warn the public against most forms of investments and financial-related scams.
Anti-Scam Organizations & Consumer Authorities
- Consumidor.gov.br: The national consumer secretariat, also known as SENACAN, allows consumers to file complaints, mostly against companies. The secretariat has continued to see an increase in the number of complaints filed by consumers.
- Posso Confiar: which loosely translates to “Can I Trust?” is a non-profit initiative designed to help customers identify scams and fake websites by providing all the necessary information.
- ReclameAqui: This is a commercial initiative designed to help consumers rate and leave reviews of companies and services they receive. It's one of the most popular review websites in Brazil.
- Ministério Público: As a government body responsible for safeguarding the public interest, you can reach out to them to file a complaint. They will keep your communication details anonymous.
Popular Scams in Brazil
Pix Scams
The Pix payment method has made life easier for millions in Brazil, but it has also opened doors for scammers. Since Pix Payment is done through mobile phones, it has become quite easy for people to send, receive, and make payments.
There was an increase in kidnapping cases, with the police estimating that about 40% of the cases have been attributed to PIX. To curb this, the Central Bank introduced a cap on P2P payments of around $200 at night, when most kidnappings happen.
Scam News From Brazil
Photo by Chris Boland
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Your Go-To Tools for Online SafetyDisclaimer: Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
- ScamAdviser App - iOS : Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on iOS
- ScamAdviser App - Android : Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on Android.
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