Brazil issues manual to help victims of surging digital banking fraud

The Ministry of Justice and the Brazilian Federation of Banks released a Manual of Orientation Against Banking Frauds, detailing victims' rights and immediate steps after a scam. The guide highlights the growing prevalence of digital fraud, noting that nearly four in ten Brazilians have been scammed and losses rose to R$ 10.1 billion in 2024, with an estimated R$ 29 billion tied to Pix and boleto scams between July 2024 and June 2025. Elderly people are especially vulnerable.

Key protective measures include using the Central Bank’s Special Refund Mechanism (MED) to recover Pix transfers within 80 days, blocking cards, reporting to police, and contesting unauthorized operations. The manual also lists common fraud patterns: the “machine‑card” scam that saw a man overcharge a tourist for caipirinhas (R$ 8,246), fake bank employee calls extracting thousands via Pix, impersonation of a municipal president to sell goods online, fraudulent consigned‑loan contracts targeting public‑sector workers, a caretaker diverting R$ 100 000 from an elderly patient's account, a “fake son” scam that took R$ 19 130 from a senior, and malware/spyware/trojan apps designed to steal Pix credentials. Authorities continue to investigate and advise verification of identities before any transfer.