Banco Patagonia held liable for unauthorized loan and banking fraud

An Argentine court has ruled that Banco Patagonia must take responsibility for a banking fraud involving an unauthorized personal loan. The incident occurred in Bariloche after a victim was targeted by scammers posing as representatives of YPF.

The scammers used a fraudulent prize notification to obtain personal and banking information, allowing them to access the victim's account, secure an unauthorized loan, and transfer funds to third parties. Despite the victim reporting the incident, loan installments continued to be deducted from his salary.

The court declared the credit null and held the bank liable for security deficiencies. The ruling grants the client the right to recover the deducted sums with interest and includes a punitive damage sanction. This decision is a first-instance ruling and remains subject to appeal.