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Top travel scams in South America
Airport driver intercept in Argentina
1 0How it works: Situation: a customs officer notes down your passport (e.g. name) and accommodation details and transmit this to a driver outside. Opening: the driver then writes your name…
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ATM skimming in Colombia
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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Sob story scammers in Peru
1 1How it works: Version 1: someone claims to have been robbed and asks if you can spare some money for him to take transport. An infamous example is a “German…
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Carjacking in Chile
1 0How it works: Version 1: gangs operating in remote areas set up an emergency on the road to get you to stop – e.g. they ask for help with a…
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Drink, food spiking in Ecuador
1 0How it works: Food, drinks, chewing gum, cigarettes, sprays, and even flyers can be spiked with scopolamine to render you unconscious. You will then be robbed. Places to beware: Cuenca…
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Snatch thefts in Uruguay
1 0How it works: Bike/moped: riding past with a pillion rider doing the snatch. Street, mall, shop, park, transportation hub: distracting and snatching from you, then escaping via a getaway car or…
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Carjacking in Colombia
1 0How it works: These criminals hold up cars or buses and then rob passengers of their belongings. They can do so by pretending to have a problem with their car…
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Flat tire scam in Chile
0 0How it works: Opening: while away from your car, there are scammers who will let the air out of your tire. When you return, the scammer pointsout the flat tire…
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Express kidnapping in Brazil
0 0How it works: This is rare and unlikely to happen to you. Further, locals, rather than tourists tend to be the ones targeted. However, it always pays to be careful….
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