Money & ATM Scams in Medellín, Colombia
Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons. Below are the money & atm scams scams reported in Medellín — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Buenos Aires, Lima, and Cusco.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
1
Money & ATM Scams Scams
11
Total in Medellín
How it works
At ATMs in El Centro and around the Estadio metro station, criminals use card-trapping devices inserted into the card slot that retain the card while a confederate watches over the victim's shoulder to capture the PIN. After the victim leaves to report the issue, the criminals retrieve both the card and PIN. A variant involves a "helpful bystander" who distracts the user and swaps the retained card for a blank one, then uses the real card immediately at a nearby machine.
See all scams in Medellín
11 total warnings across all categories