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Cybersecurity and AI-enhanced fraud trends in Latin America

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2026-10-09 21:07 UTC → 2026-10-16 17:39 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Cybersecurity threats in Latin America are evolving, with a significant focus on the financial and insurance sectors. The region accounts for approximately 12% of global cyber-attacks, with Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina experiencing nearly 44% of these incidents. As attackers increasingly bypass technical vulnerabilities using stolen or legitimate credentials, regional enterprises are shifting toward identity protection. However, nine out of ten organizations struggle to manage multiple security tools due to integration issues. Recent data from SCILabs indicates a critical acceleration in digital threats, with ransomware incidents in the region increasing by 25.54 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous semester, totaling at least 290 formal attacks. Mexico has emerged as the second most targeted country in the region, accounting for approximately 18 percent of total attacks, with the services, manufacturing, and government sectors most affected. In Chile, a ransomware attack on a multinational subsidiary in Quilicura resulted in the theft of over one terabyte of data, illustrating the “double extortion” trend. Recent reports highlight a heavy reliance on exploiting outdated software. According to ESET Latinoamérica, over 81.8% of exploits targeting software vulnerabilities in the first half of 2026 utilized two Microsoft Office flaws known since 2017, specifically CVE-2017-0199 and CVE-2017-11882. This trend is closely linked to the rise of malicious PDF files, which saw over 107,000 detections. These files often use embedded scripts, fake links, or malicious QR codes to deliver malware, such as remote access trojans (RATs) observed in Colombia. By late 2026, cybercrime modalities expanded to include widespread social engineering. In Argentina, scammers impersonating PAMI representatives via WhatsApp have targeted retirees, while in Mexico, fraudulent educational websites and “caller ID spoofing” to impersonate banks have been reported. Colombia has also seen criminals impersonating travel agencies to solicit advance payments.

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