Police warn of mobile phone scams and identity theft

Law enforcement agencies in Argentina and Peru have issued warnings regarding new methods used by criminals to exploit mobile devices for fraud and extortion.

In Argentina, the Community Security Police of Adolfo Gonzales Chaves alerted the public to identity theft scams targeting WhatsApp accounts. Criminals pose as cellular service providers to trick victims into sharing personal data or verification codes. Once access is gained, scammers impersonate the victim to contact friends and family, often requesting money transfers under the guise of urgent currency exchange transactions.

In Peru, the Depincri Áncash regional chief, Colonel Percy Chacón Zeballos, warned citizens against using informal technicians for mobile repairs. Following an investigation into extortion calls targeting transporters in the San Jacinto–Chimbote route, police discovered that a technician had allegedly accessed a customer's phone to facilitate criminal communications. Authorities emphasized the importance of using formal repair establishments to prevent owners from being unknowingly implicated in illegal activities.