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Top travel scams in South America
Express kidnappings in Peru
1 0How it works: This is where victims are held and brought around different ATMs by thugs. Once your account withdrawal limit is reached, the victim is quickly released. However, some…
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Drink spiking in Chile
1 0How it works: Although Chile is known for its vibrant nightlife scene, there have been reports of drink spiking and subsequent robbery or assault. Places to beware: Santiago: Suecia, Bellavista…
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Fake goods in Argentina
1 0How it works: There are two main sources of fake products here: roadside stalls and the La Salada fair. Places to beware: Buenos Aires: La Salada, Barrio Balvanera What to…
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Fake police in Peru
1 0How it works: Version 1: they demand to search you and then find some reason to ask you to pay a fine. Version 2: they claim that you need to…
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Credit card skimming in Ecuador
1 0How it works: Situation: the vast majority of tourists would probably not fall for this but on the off-chance that you do, you need to know how to spot the…
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Credit card skimming in Peru
1 1How it works: Situation: according to the US Bureau of Diplomatic Safety, credit card fraud is common here. Version 1 (ATM): card skimmer installed to capture your card details, pinhole…
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Drug planting in Brazil
1 0How it works: Drugs trafficking is unlikely to affect tourists, though there have been instances of drug planting. If caught by the police who are in cahoots, you will have…
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El Paseo millionaire in Colombia
1 0How it works: Situation: also known as express kidnapping, this is generally perpetrated by unofficial taxis at night or by criminals who target those at ATMs. There have been past…
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Vacation apartment deposit scam in Peru
1 0How it works: Situation: landlords in Lima are infamous for “squeezing” foreign tenants. Opening: like in Argentina, one trick is to require an inflated deposit, with no intention of returning…
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