Online Scams in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fraudulent booking sites, phishing, fake reviews, and digital cons targeting travelers. Below are the online scams scams reported in Rio de Janeiro — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Valparaíso, Mendoza, and Salvador.
Last updated: April 7, 2026
2
Online Scams Scams
18
Total in Rio de Janeiro
How it works
Fraudsters contact tourists and travelers via email or social media before or during their visit to Brazil, offering a financial reward to carry items — parcels or luggage — to or from Brazil on their behalf. The UK FCDO specifically warns that these items frequently contain illegal drugs, and anyone caught faces prosecution for drug trafficking regardless of claimed ignorance. Variations involve scammers impersonating legitimate shipping companies or customs officials.
How it works
Fraudulent tour companies set up professional-looking websites advertising Corcovado, favela, and Carnival tours at attractive prices and collect full payment upfront — then never show up at the pickup point. A documented case involving "Rio Tours" listed on platforms like Viator resulted in multiple travelers finding the address was an apartment and the phone permanently unanswered. Travel And Tour World flagged a surge in such scams in early 2026, noting Latin America as a high-risk region for fraudulent booking sites.
See all scams in Rio de Janeiro
18 total warnings across all categories
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