Tourist Scams in South America

Pairs of criminals on motorcycles operate citywide in Valparaíso, with a rider and a passenger who leans out to snatch bags, phones, and backpacks from pedestrians. Multiple travel advisories and forum reports from 2024–2025 document this pattern. The Canadian Government specifically names this 'motochorros' tactic as active in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Attacks happen quickly and the motorcycle is gone before bystanders can react — victims rarely recover stolen items.

How to avoid: Walk with your bag on the building side of the pavement, away from the road. Keep your phone inside your pocket or bag rather than in your hand while walking. Use a crossbody bag worn in front. Avoid walking along wide roads or seafront boulevards where motorcycles have unobstructed access.

Express kidnapping — known locally as sequestro relâmpago — involves criminals forcing a tourist or visitor into a vehicle at knifepoint or gunpoint and driving them to one or more ATMs to withdraw the daily maximum before releasing them. The UK FCDO and U.S. State Department both explicitly name Salvador in advisories warning of this crime type, and it is documented across major Brazilian cities. A newer variant called flash kidnapping involves forcing the victim to send large sums via Brazil's Pix instant transfer app rather than visiting an ATM, making the theft harder to reverse.

How to avoid: Never resist if confronted — comply and prioritize personal safety over cash. Carry only small amounts of cash daily and set a low daily ATM withdrawal limit on your card before traveling. Avoid using ATMs or walking alone after dark, particularly around Pelourinho's perimeter streets and the Barra neighborhood after late evening. Inform your bank of your travel plans so unusual withdrawal patterns trigger alerts.

Criminals install skimming devices on ATM card readers or cover keypads to capture PIN entry in Valparaíso and across Chile. The Canadian Government warns specifically about ATMs with irregular or unusual features on their card slots. A second common tactic involves criminals stationed nearby who observe PIN entry over the shoulder (shoulder surfing), then use distraction or theft to obtain the card. The US State Department warns that credit card fraud is common and that cards should never be charged outside the owner's view.

How to avoid: Use ATMs inside bank branches during business hours rather than street-facing machines. Shield the keypad with your free hand when entering your PIN. Check the card slot for loose or unusual attachments before inserting your card. Review your account statements daily while traveling.

Criminals deliberately puncture the tire of a rental vehicle — often while it is parked at a viewpoint, petrol station, or roadside stop — then wait nearby. When the driver notices the flat tire and exits the vehicle, one person approaches offering help while an accomplice steals belongings left inside. The US State Department, UK FCDO, and Canadian Government all document this pattern in Valparaíso and Santiago. Rental cars are specifically targeted because they are easy to identify and often contain luggage and electronics.

How to avoid: Never leave bags or valuables visible in a parked rental car. If approached by strangers offering help with a breakdown, keep the vehicle locked until you have secured all belongings. Call your rental company before accepting any roadside assistance.

The US Embassy in Buenos Aires issued official security alerts in August 2024 and March 2025 warning of a surge in "Black Widow" incidents — a specific pattern in which women approach men in bars and nightclubs, gain their trust, and then spike their drinks with clonazepam (a powerful sedative). Once the victim is incapacitated, the perpetrator and accomplices steal cash, cards, passport, and electronics. The Buenos Aires Herald reported multiple incidents occurring within single weekends, and the Embassy stated it had seen "a significant increase" requiring mandatory reporting to US citizens. Victims are typically older male tourists who accept drinks or share food with women they have just met in social venues.

How to avoid: Never accept a drink or food from someone you have just met in a bar, even if they seem trustworthy. Order drinks directly from the bar and watch them being prepared. If you feel suddenly and abnormally drowsy after one or two drinks, alert bar staff immediately and call emergency services (911). Do not leave a bar alone with someone you just met. Share your location and plans with a trusted contact before going out.

Unofficial taxis and pre-arranged robbery vehicles operate extensively in Cali, particularly near the bus terminal and airport. Victims are driven to a secondary location where armed accomplices board the vehicle and rob them of cash, phones, jewellery, and bank cards. Forced ATM withdrawals under armed escort have been reported to police.

How to avoid: Only use InDriver or Cabify apps, which assign a registered driver with a tracked vehicle. Never hail taxis from the street, accept rides from strangers offering lifts, or use taxis that approach you outside bus terminals or clubs. If the driver takes an unexpected route, keep calm and contact someone.

A coordinated two-person team approaches tourists in busy areas: one person 'accidentally' spills liquid, sauce, or mustard on the target, then both offer to help clean it off while the second steals the victim's wallet, phone, or bag. The UK FCDO specifically names this tactic as active in Valparaíso and central Chile. The distraction is effective because the victim's instinct is to look down at the stain rather than guard possessions.

How to avoid: Decline help from strangers who approach after something lands on you. Step away, check your belongings first, then deal with the stain yourself. If someone insists on helping physically, treat it as an active theft attempt.

Female criminals approach male tourists in bars, clubs, or via dating apps and build a romantic connection before spiking drinks or food with sedatives. The victim is then robbed of cash, cards, and valuables — often in their own hotel room. The US State Department issued a specific warning about this tactic in February 2025, noting around 40 reported cases in Rio de Janeiro in 2024 alone. Victims often wake with no memory of the crime and discover bank accounts drained via mobile transfers.

How to avoid: Never leave your drink unattended and refuse food or drinks brought by someone you just met. Use only official taxi apps to reach your accommodation, do not invite new acquaintances to your hotel room, and share your plans and location with a trusted contact before any evening out.