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9 clusters · 32 sources · 51 days · First seen · Last updated

Argentina online fraud surge

Overview

By mid-September 2026, new fraudulent modalities emerged in Argentina. In Tandil, the Municipal Office of Consumer Information (OMIC) warned of a digital ‘uncle’ scam where criminals pose as social media buyers, claiming to have overpaid for items to pressure sellers into immediate refunds. Simultaneously, Banco Provincia (BAPRO) alerted the public to fake investment advisors using social engineering. These scammers often request victims to share screens or install remote access applications to steal security codes and facilitate unauthorized transfers, sometimes using fictitious platforms to display fake profits.

Technological advancements have also introduced more sophisticated impersonation tactics. Economic journalist Willy Kohan reported that his likeness was manipulated using artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos on YouTube, promoting fraudulent investment schemes. Although the synthesized voice featured a suspicious Spanish accent, the videos used his image to lend false credibility to the scams.

On September 18, authorities in Buenos Aires province expanded their warnings to include a WhatsApp scam targeting retirees and pensioners. The Institute of Social Security (IPS) and IOMA reported that criminals are impersonating these organizations to request fraudulent payments under the guise of processing a ‘fe de vida’ (proof of life) procedure. Both agencies emphasized that all official procedures are free of charge and do not require any form of payment or transfer.

By late September, reports surfaced of increased fraud on Facebook Marketplace. In Paraná, a victim lost 5 million pesos from a virtual wallet during a vehicle purchase attempt, while in Santiago, a student was defrauded of 710,000 pesos while attempting to buy an iPhone. Local prosecutor offices have initiated investigations into these transactions.

Entities

Lemon Cash · Tandil · Daniel Domene · Colegio de Abogados de Córdoba · Municipalidad de Pehuajó

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 1 day ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Facebook Marketplace scams target users in Argentina

    Fraudsters using Facebook Marketplace in Argentina have targeted individuals, including a man losing 5 million pesos in a vehicle scam and a student losing 710,000 pesos for an iPhone.

  2. 6 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    IOMA and IPS alert retirees to WhatsApp scams in Buenos Aires

    Argentine authorities IOMA and IPS have warned retirees of a WhatsApp scam involving fake ‘proof of life’ procedures used to solicit fraudulent payments.

  3. 9 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Identity theft and AI impersonation scams reported in Paraguay and Argentina

    Identity theft and AI-driven fraud are on the rise, with entrepreneurs in Paraguay and journalists in Argentina reporting impersonation scams via WhatsApp and deepfake investment videos.

  4. 12 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Authorities warn of rising virtual scams and investment fraud

    Authorities in Argentina are warning of rising virtual scams, including social media purchase fraud and fake investment advisors using remote access to steal funds.

  5. 27 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Authorities in Argentina and Colombia warn of rising identity theft scams

    Authorities in Argentina and Colombia are warning citizens of rising cybercrime, including WhatsApp impersonation of officials and fraudulent calls regarding social subsidies.

  6. 29 days ago

    [CRIME] 6 sources
    Neuquén authorities hold digital scam prevention training

    Authorities in Neuquén, Argentina, held a training session for 50 citizens to combat rising digital scams, focusing on WhatsApp security and protecting personal and financial data.

  7. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 7 sources
    Police warn of mobile phone scams and identity theft

    Police in Argentina and Peru are warning against mobile-based scams, including WhatsApp identity theft and extortion facilitated by unauthorized phone repairs.

  8. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Argentina warns of telephone and social‑media scams targeting lawyers and public‑sector employees

    Argentina's Córdoba Bar Association and Catamarca police warned of phone and social‑media scams that impersonate official services, urging the public not to share data or install unknown apps.

  9. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Car purchase scam in Libertad and SIM‑swapping fraud ruling in Argentina highlight rising online fraud

    A Facebook car‑sale scam in Libertad and an Argentine court ruling on a SIM‑swapping fraud involving Movistar and Banco Galicia expose rising online fraud in Latin America.

Sources

cableinformacion.com.ar · carlospazvivo.com · chavesdigital.com.ar · ciudadoriental.com · diariocorreo.pe · diariodechimbote.com · diariopanorama.com · elaconquija.com · elcactus.com.ar · eldia.com.ar · elnuevosiglo.com.co · elperiodicodetlaxcala.com · elportalbonaerense.com.ar · elsigloweb.com · emisoraprincipal.com · entrelineas.info · facundoquiroga.com · fmdellagoesquel.com.ar · fuego24.com · infoplatense.com.ar · itapuanoticias.tv · lagacetaonline.com.ar · lajornadaestadodemexico.com · laportada.mx · levante-emv.com · lu24.com.ar · magacin247.com · noticias.perfil.com · piercingjewelry.com · quilmespresente.com · revistaenterate.com.ar · trendtic.cl

This summary has been updated 7 times: see revision history