Identity theft and SIM swapping scams rise in Latin America

Cybercriminals are increasingly using identity theft and SIM swapping techniques to access personal data and financial accounts. In El Salvador, experts warn that stolen personal information, such as bank accounts or identification numbers, can lead to victims being investigated for unauthorized illicit transactions. Legal specialists note that identity theft can carry prison sentences of four to six years and advise victims to report unrecognized bank movements immediately to their financial institutions and the Prosecutor's Office.

In Chile, there has been a rise in SIM swapping fraud, with approximately 700 complaints filed with the Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones (Subtel) in 2026. This method involves criminals requesting a duplicate SIM card from a provider, causing the victim's phone to lose signal. Once the attacker controls the phone number, they can reset banking passwords and gain access to financial accounts. Authorities are currently evaluating stricter identity certification measures to combat this growing trend.