Latin American cybercrime alerts warn of sexting scams, fake jobs and WhatsApp account suspensions

Police cyber units in several Latin American countries issued alerts about a surge in digital fraud. In Mexico, the Cyber Police of Quintana Roo warned that scammers are using WhatsApp, SMS and other messaging apps to pose as employers, offering bogus remote‑work jobs and demanding upfront payments or personal data. The same agency reported a rise in e‑commerce fraud, fake websites and phishing during the vacation season.

In Puebla, Mexico, authorities announced a mass suspension of WhatsApp accounts, advising users not to uninstall the app, to verify the official blue‑check badge and to avoid third‑party “recovery” services. Similar guidance was repeated in a second Puebla report.

Peru’s transport regulator Sutran cautioned drivers about counterfeit traffic‑fine notices and fake capture orders sent via WhatsApp and email that mimic official logos to steal personal and vehicle information.

Miami‑Dade County, Florida, warned residents of text‑message scams that impersonate public agencies, threaten license suspension and demand immediate payment through fraudulent links.

Additional alerts covered sexting and sextortion cases in Ciudad Juárez, with police urging victims to preserve evidence and report crimes, and a nationwide warning from the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social about fake enrollment offers that solicit payments.

Colombia’s cyber‑emergency team (ColCERT) highlighted that AI‑driven fraud now accounts for nearly 80 % of digital‑security incidents, with phishing and unauthorized email use among the most common tactics.