Cybercrime and financial fraud rise across Latin America and Spain

Financial institutions and law enforcement agencies across several regions are reporting a significant rise in digital fraud and cybercrime. In Argentina, complaints against banks, credit cards, and digital wallets increased by 51% year-on-year in San Luis, with users citing telephone scams and difficulties with automated customer service. In Córdoba, virtual scams have grown by over 21% annually, fueled by sophisticated methods such as artificial intelligence used to clone voices and faces.

In the Dominican Republic, the Superintendency of Banks reported that unrecognized transactions and unauthorized fund transfers accounted for 56% of user complaints during the second quarter of 2026. Similarly, in Panama, organizations face a higher volume of cyber threats than the Americas average, with criminals utilizing fake receipts and advance payment scams to exploit user trust.

In Spain, investigations have uncovered large-scale criminal operations. In Granada, a massive international investment scam network was exposed, involving over 9,000 files and an estimated 105 million euros in defrauded funds. In Vigo, authorities have successfully identified individuals behind cryptocurrency scams involving Albanian nationals. Additionally, in Almería, the Civil Guard dismantled a group responsible for violent robberies and unauthorized bank transfers totaling 28,500 euros.