# Argentina online fraud surge

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-online-fraud-surge
> Updated: 2026-08-07T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

In early August 2026, Argentine authorities reported two distinct fraud incidents. A man in Libertad fell victim to a fake Facebook car‑dealership scheme, losing money after the scammers demanded additional payment, while a civil court upheld liability for Movistar and Banco Galicia over a SIM‑swapping operation that stole AR$19.2 million. 

A few days later, professional and law‑enforcement bodies issued broader warnings. The Córdoba Bar Association alerted lawyers to telephone scams masquerading as "Matrícula Digital" requests, and Catamarca police warned public‑sector employees about social‑media fraud that uses remote‑access tools to hijack devices. Together, the reports illustrate a widening pattern of online and telecom fraud in Argentina and an escalating response from courts and public institutions.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-07: 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.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-warns-of-telephone-and-socialmedia-scams-targeting-lawyers-and-publicsector-employees

### 2026-08-03: 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.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/car-purchase-scam-in-libertad-and-simswapping-fraud-ruling-in-argentina-highlight-rising-online-frau

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Cite as: Argentina online fraud surge. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-online-fraud-surge
