Other Tourist Scams in Mendoza, Argentina
Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors. Below are the other scams scams reported in Mendoza — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Valparaíso, Buenos Aires, and Medellín.
Last updated: April 6, 2026
2
Other Scams Scams
24
Total in Mendoza
How it works
Short-term opportunistic abductions — known as secuestro express — are flagged for Mendoza by the UK FCDO, Canadian DFAT, and US State Department. Victims are typically held in a vehicle for several hours and forced to withdraw the maximum possible amount from multiple ATMs or make mobile bank transfers before being released. Criminals frequently surveil ATMs and currency exchange offices, following targets who have just made a transaction. The risk is elevated late at night and in areas near downtown cash exchange points.
How it works
Multiple government advisories including the US State Department and FCDO warn of drinks being spiked with sedatives in bars and nightlife venues in Mendoza. Victims are typically approached by a friendly stranger — sometimes posing as a local wanting to show tourists a good time — who offers drinks. After consuming spiked beverages, victims lose consciousness or become disoriented and are robbed of phones, wallets, and passports. Cases have also been reported where people met through dating apps arranged meetings that ended in drugging and robbery.
See all scams in Mendoza
24 total warnings across all categories