Question 1

What is the "Motochorro Motorcycle Robbery" scam in Mendoza?

Accepted Answer

Motorcycle-based theft — known locally as motochorro — is documented across Mendoza's urban streets and is specifically flagged in multiple government travel advisories including the US State Department, Canada DFAT, and Australian Smartraveller. Thieves operate in pairs on a motorbike: one drives slowly alongside pedestrians while the other grabs phones, bags, or jewellery and the bike accelerates away. The attack is fast and leaves victims little time to react. Walk on the inside of the footpath, away from the kerb. Keep phones out of sight and in a pocket rather than in hand. Wear bags across the body with the strap on the traffic-side shoulder to make snatching harder. Avoid wearing visible jewellery or watches in street-level areas.

Question 2

What is the "Fake Police Officer Wallet Check" scam in Mendoza?

Accepted Answer

Plain-clothes individuals posing as plainclothes police officers approach tourists on Mendoza's streets or in restaurants, flashing unofficial-looking badges and claiming to conduct a routine document check or drug inspection. They ask to inspect the tourist's wallet or bag under the pretext of checking for counterfeit pesos or identifying robbery victims. During the inspection, cash is palmed or the wallet returned short of its original contents. The scam is documented across multiple Argentina travel safety sources including the FCDO and Vamos Academy, and is specifically flagged as a risk in pedestrian zones throughout Argentine tourist cities including Mendoza. Genuine Argentine police officers do not conduct random street inspections of tourists' wallets. If approached, firmly decline and insist on going to the nearest police station together. Ask the person to call a uniformed officer. Never hand over your wallet — offer to show identification only while keeping all other items secured. The Tourist Police in Mendoza can be reached at San Martín 1143, phone 0261 413-2135.

Question 3

What is the "Bus Terminal Luggage Theft" scam in Mendoza?

Accepted Answer

Mendoza's Terminal del Sol bus station is a documented hotspot for luggage theft, specifically named in US State Department and Canadian government travel advisories. A common technique involves a staged distraction — one person falls or bumps into you while an accomplice removes bags from overhead racks, under seats, or from unattended piles during boarding and alighting. Bags left in overhead compartments on overnight long-distance buses are also targeted while passengers sleep. Keep bags between your feet or on your lap at all times in the terminal waiting area. Lock luggage to overhead racks on overnight buses using a cable lock. Never accept help from strangers who approach you near your luggage.

Question 4

What is the "Distraction Substance Scam" scam in Mendoza?

Accepted Answer

A well-documented distraction theft technique involves having a substance — mustard, fake bird droppings, tomato sauce, or a similar liquid — secretly sprayed or dropped onto the tourist. An apparent Good Samaritan immediately appears offering to help clean the mess, patting the victim down during cleanup while an accomplice picks pockets or snatches bags. The FCDO, Canada DFAT, and multiple Argentina travel blogs document this scam operating throughout Mendoza's tourist zones. If a stranger approaches to help clean something off your clothing, decline immediately and firmly, move away, and check your belongings in a safe location. Do not allow strangers to touch or pat your clothing. The substance is harmless — walk to a shop or café to clean it yourself.

Question 5

What is the "General San Martín Park Mugging" scam in Mendoza?

Accepted Answer

Parque General San Martín, Mendoza's largest and most visited urban park, is specifically named in the Canadian government travel advisory and multiple travel safety resources as a location where muggings and distraction theft target tourists. The park's size, tree-lined paths, and secluded areas away from main thoroughfares create opportunities for opportunistic crime, particularly along less-trafficked paths and after dark. Stick to the main paths and the Rose Garden area near the Avenida del Libertador entrance where foot traffic is higher. Avoid the park after dusk, particularly the lake area and upper hillside sections. Do not display expensive cameras, phones, or jewellery while walking in the park. Visit in groups where possible.

Question 6

What is the "Street Vendor Table Phone Theft" scam in Mendoza?

Accepted Answer

A documented distraction theft technique at Mendoza sidewalk cafes involves individuals placing pamphlets, maps, or small merchandise items directly on a table while engaging tourists in conversation or a sales pitch. When they gather up their materials and leave, they sweep the tourist's phone, wallet, or other valuables off the table along with their items. The technique is fast and the loss is often not noticed until minutes later. The Canadian government travel advisory specifically warns tourists not to leave phones or wallets on restaurant tables, particularly at outdoor seating. Never place your phone, wallet, or camera on a table at an outdoor or sidewalk cafe. Keep valuables in a bag on your lap or in a zipped interior pocket. Politely but firmly refuse anyone who approaches your table to place items on it, and move your valuables immediately if anyone does.

Question 7

What is the "Counterfeit Premium Malbec Wine" scam in Mendoza?

Accepted Answer

Vendors in Mendoza's Mercado Central and some street markets sell wine labelled as premium Malbec from well-known producers at suspiciously low prices. Bottles contain inferior blends or bulk wine, with labels and capsules that closely imitate legitimate wineries. Tourists buying gifts or souvenirs are the primary targets. Purchase wine only from licensed wine shops (vinotecas), directly from winery cellar doors in Luján de Cuyo and Maipú, or established supermarkets. Authentic premium Malbec sold below ARS market price is a reliable fraud indicator. Inspect seals and labels carefully.

Question 8

What is the "Fake Distressed Traveler Charity Scam" scam in Mendoza?

Accepted Answer

A long-running scam documented in multiple TripAdvisor threads specifically for Mendoza involves a person claiming to be a foreign tourist — often presenting themselves as Belgian, Dutch, or another European nationality — who approaches tourists saying they were robbed and have no passport, money, or hotel. The scammer is well-dressed, fluent in English, and builds rapport by appealing to the tourist's empathy as a fellow traveler. They ask for money to buy a bus ticket to the nearest consulate. The same individual operated this scam in Mendoza for years and was also reported in Salta. Do not give money to strangers claiming to be robbed tourists, no matter how convincing the story. Direct them to the Comisaría del Turista (Tourist Police) at +54 261 413-2135, which handles lost passports and can refer to consular services. Legitimate distressed travelers will have embassy emergency numbers already.

Street Scams in Mendoza

Motochorro Motorcycle Robbery

Fake Police Officer Wallet Check

Bus Terminal Luggage Theft

Distraction Substance Scam

General San Martín Park Mugging

Street Vendor Table Phone Theft

Counterfeit Premium Malbec Wine

Fake Distressed Traveler Charity Scam

Experienced a scam here?