Brazil Confronts Record Financial Fraud as Carnival Season Heightens Scam Risks

Overview

• Serasa reports roughly 11 million fraud attempts from January to September 2025 and projects more than 14 million for the full year, equal to one attempt every 2.2 seconds.
• Experts say social engineering on messaging apps now dominates, including hijacked or fake WhatsApp accounts, bogus call centers and phishing links that press for urgent transfers or credentials.
• Seasonal schemes tied to Carnival include inflated charges on card terminals in crowded settings and fake listings for rentals, tickets and travel sold via sites or social profiles using trusted brand names.
• Authorities and specialists flag rising street risks during festivities, citing spikes in cellphone theft, the card‑swap ruse and staged scuffles that enable pickpocketing.
• Guidance stresses immediate contact with banks to try to block funds, use of tools like the federal Celular Seguro app, lower Pix limits and verification of recipients, with legal help advised if reimbursement is denied; SMEs also face BEC‑style invoice and bank‑detail scams.