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Brazil
21 scams
The biggest country in South America, Brazil is home to the Amazon forest, the “mecca” of football and its samba carnivals has attract revellers from all around the world.
However, Brazil can also be a dangerous place, with crime and tourist targeted scams to watch out for.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency number
- Police: 190
- Fire, ambulance: 193
- Tourist police (Rio de Janeiro): 021/3399-7170
- Tourist police (Sao Paulo): 011/3107-5642
Travel guide
Unlicensed taxis in Brazil
3 0How it works: Version 1: you may encounter unlicensed taxi touts who offer lower fares without queues. These are usually operated by gang members and there is a risk of…
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Black market tickets in Brazil
3 0How it works: Version 1: there are criminal organizations which buy tickets of major events to flip for a few times more through other channels. Version 2: sometimes, fake tickets…
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Credit card skimming in Brazil
3 1How it works: Situation: Brazil has one of the highest rates of credit card theft globally. Version 1: malware to infect point of sales (POS) terminals to capture your card’s…
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Product swap scam in Brazil
3 0How it works: Opening: you choose an item, make payment, vendor brings the item out of sight to wrap it up and passes it to you. Set-up: when you get…
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Fake goods in Brazil
3 0How it works: There are all kinds of fakes (luxury, electronics, medical, cosmetics, etc) and even entire shopping malls dedicated to such products. Places to beware: Anywhere (e.g. Sao Paolo…
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Restaurant, food stall scams in Brazil
2 0How it works: Situation: Most food places are fine, it’s generally just a few bad eggs around touristy areas that spoil it for the rest. Set-up: Version 1: adding on…
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Boa Viagem Beach palm reading scam in Brazil
2 0How it works: There are women who will grab your hands and do unsolicited palm reading for you. Next, an inflated fee is demanded. Places to beware: Recife: Boa Viagem…
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Fake police in Brazil
2 0How it works: Version 1: fake police accuses you of a crime, demands you follow them to their car parked in a secluded spot then rob you there. Version 2:…
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Unlicensed SIM card retailer in Brazil
2 0How it works: If you shop at an unlicensed SIM card shop, you will probably end up overpaying for a SIM card – e.g. paying the rates of a SIM…
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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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