Brazil reports $21.2 billion loss from widespread scam attempts

A Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) report shows Brazilian adults faced an average of 202 scam attempts per year, with 34 billion attempts recorded between March 2025 and February 2026. About 81 % of adults were targeted; 39 % interacted with fraudsters and 10 % suffered financial loss, amounting to a total estimated loss of R$ 21.2 billion (≈ $4.2 billion) in the last year, an average of R$ 1,287 per victim.

The main channels used were telephone calls (53 %), instant‑messaging apps (49 %) and email (39 %). Among those who engaged, 25 % lost money, with 33 % paying via bank transfers, 32 % using instant‑payment tools such as Pix, and 16 % using cards. Reporting fell short: 42 % contacted banks, 30 % police, and 29 % family or friends, while only 14 % received partial or full refunds and 9 % had funds recovered by banks or authorities. About one‑fifth of victims did not report the fraud, citing uncertainty about where to complain, belief that reporting would not help, or embarrassment.

Renata Salvini, director of GASA’s Brazil chapter, warned that “digital scams have become routine, highlighting a cycle of vulnerability that requires coordinated prevention, education and rapid response from companies, platforms, financial institutions, authorities and civil society.”