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Brazil (BR)

South America's largest country, combining major work hubs, world-famous culture, beaches, Amazon biodiversity, strong digital payments, and complex but navigable bureaucracy for expats.

Capital: Brasilia
Region: Americas
Language: Portuguese
Currency: BRL (R$)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 35)
Emergency: 190
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Scam Warnings

Common scams targeting expats in Brazil.

Brazil recorded 28 million PIX-related fraud cases between January and September 2025, with total online scam losses exceeding R$25 billion that year. PIX instant payments, WhatsApp and CPF data leaks are the three axes of most Brazilian fraud. Three golden rules for newcomers: verify every PIX recipient name before sending; never share WhatsApp or banking SMS codes; and get a independent lawyer and Land Registry check (matrícula) before any property deposit.

PIX Impersonation and Social Engineering Fraud

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PIX is Brazil's instant payment system, processed in seconds and largely irreversible. The most prevalent scams in 2025–2026 involve social engineering: a fraudster impersonates a family member ("mum, I got a new number — help me"), landlord, seller or bank on WhatsApp using a cloned number or new SIM. The victim makes an urgent PIX transfer before verifying. A variant called "PIX errado" sends a fake payment notification to the victim, who is then pressured to "refund" a payment that never arrived. Deepfake voice cloning of family members surged 126% in 2025.

How to spot it
  • - Message from an unknown or new number claiming to be someone you know, asking for urgent money
  • - Notification of a PIX received without a matching bank credit in your account (fake screenshot)
  • - Urgency — "I need the money in the next five minutes or the deal falls through"
  • - Recipient name in the PIX confirmation screen does not match the person you expect to pay
  • - Request to keep the transaction secret
What to do: Always call the person back on their known, saved number (not the number that messaged you) before sending any PIX. Check the recipient name shown on the PIX confirmation screen — it must match. Never "refund" a PIX unless you can verify in your banking app that a credit actually arrived. Enable two-step verification on WhatsApp.

WhatsApp Account Takeover (Clonagem)

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Fraudsters obtain the six-digit WhatsApp verification code by calling victims and pretending to be a bank, government official or acquaintance who "accidentally" sent the code to the wrong number. Once they have the code they take over the account and immediately message every contact requesting urgent PIX transfers. Brazil recorded 1.6 million WhatsApp fraud cases in the first nine months of 2025.

How to spot it
  • - Any call or message requesting your WhatsApp, banking app or SMS one-time code
  • - A contact you know messages from a new number asking for money urgently
  • - You receive a WhatsApp verification code without having requested it
  • - Sudden loss of access to your own WhatsApp account
What to do: Enable WhatsApp two-step verification (Settings > Account > Two-step verification) with a PIN you do not share. Never give your SMS verification code to anyone for any reason. If your account is taken over, register on a new SIM immediately to push the fraudster out. Alert your contacts to ignore any money requests from your account.

Fake Boleto (Payment Slip Fraud)

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Boletos are the standard Brazilian payment slip used for rent, utilities, school fees and taxes. Criminals intercept email communications or compromise company systems and substitute the bank details (linha digitável / código de barras) on boletos before forwarding them to victims. The victim pays the altered boleto, which routes funds to the criminal. Still prevalent in 2025, particularly for rent and school fees.

How to spot it
  • - Beneficiary name (sacado/favorecido) on the boleto does not match the company you expect to pay
  • - Boleto arrives as a PDF attachment or link in an unexpected email or WhatsApp message
  • - The bank code (first three digits of the numeric line) differs from the issuing bank's known code
  • - You receive a boleto slightly ahead of schedule or for an unexpected amount
What to do: Always verify the beneficiary name on a boleto before paying. Pay boletos through the issuing company's official app or website rather than from a link in an email. Call the company to confirm the amount and beneficiary if anything looks different. Report suspected boleto fraud to your bank immediately.

PIX QR Code Substitution

critical

In physical environments (markets, small restaurants, stalls), criminals cover or replace legitimate PIX QR codes with their own. The victim scans what appears to be the vendor's code and pays the criminal. Also reported in fake invoices and rental payment instructions sent by email.

How to spot it
  • - A sticker or printed QR code placed over or next to an official-looking QR code at a payment point
  • - The name shown after scanning the QR code does not match the business or person you are paying
  • - A QR code arrives in an email or WhatsApp message as the only payment method offered
  • - Vendor insists on QR payment but cannot show any identification linked to the code
What to do: Always check the recipient name displayed by your banking app after scanning a QR code and before confirming. If the name does not match, do not pay. For larger amounts, ask for the PIX key (e.g. the vendor's CPF) and enter it manually rather than scanning.

Rental Deposit Fraud

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Fraudulent rental listings use copied apartment photos and below-market prices. Scammers claim to be the owner or abroad, demand a deposit or first-month payment before any viewing, then disappear. Brazil's online rental platforms recorded a significant rise in complaint volume in 2025.

How to spot it
  • - Rental price significantly below the market rate for the neighbourhood
  • - Owner or agent insists on payment before viewing in person
  • - Owner is "abroad" and unable to meet or show the property
  • - Listing photos are also findable on international property sites
  • - No formal lease contract offered before any payment is requested
What to do: Never pay any deposit or advance rent before viewing the property in person. Verify the landlord is the registered owner using the property matrícula at the local Cartório de Registro de Imóveis. Use a licensed real estate agent (corretor with CRECI registration) for added protection. All rental contracts should be signed before any transfer.

Property Title Fraud

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Property sellers or intermediaries conceal outstanding debts (ônus reais), irregular registrations, or disputed ownership. A common variant: seller says the matrícula irregularities can be "fixed after the deal". Foreigners and recently arrived expats are disproportionately targeted because they are less familiar with the cartório system.

How to spot it
  • - Seller is unwilling or unable to produce the property's current matrícula from the Cartório de Registro de Imóveis
  • - Offer of a large "cash discount" for completing quickly without standard due diligence
  • - Third parties with undisclosed claims mentioned only in passing
  • - Seller's lawyer also represents the buyer (conflict of interest)
What to do: Hire an independent property lawyer (advogado) and require a full matrícula search before any deposit. Check for judicial debts and liens (certidões negativas) against both the property and the seller. Only transfer funds through formal escrow. Brazil's 7-day right of withdrawal under CDC Art. 49 applies to distance purchases but not in-person property transactions — do not rely on it here.

Fake Job and PJ (Pessoa Jurídica) Trap

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Recruiters demand upfront fees for "administrative costs", "visa processing" or "CNPJ registration". A related trap involves employers pressuring foreign workers to operate as informal PJ contractors, creating tax liabilities, visa violations and lack of employment protections.

How to spot it
  • - Any request for upfront payment before starting work or signing a contract
  • - Employer cannot provide a verifiable CNPJ (company tax number) or registered business address
  • - Contract terms are vague about immigration status or work authorisation
  • - Promises to resolve work permit issues "later" after you have started
What to do: Verify the company's CNPJ on the Receita Federal portal (gov.br/receitafederal). Get all employment terms, including immigration status, in writing before starting. Never pay fees to secure a job. Consult a Brazilian immigration lawyer before accepting any PJ arrangement as a foreign national.

ATM Card Theft and Distraction Fraud

warning

Card skimming and distraction theft at ATMs (caixas eletrônicos) remain common in major Brazilian cities. A stranger offers to "help" you with the machine, steals your PIN visually, then distracts you so an accomplice can swap your card. Standalone outdoor ATMs and those in tourist areas carry the highest risk.

How to spot it
  • - Stranger approaches offering to help with the ATM or claims you dropped something
  • - ATM card slot feels loose or has an extra plastic attachment
  • - ATM is outdoors or in an unmonitored location
  • - Someone stands very close behind you during your transaction
What to do: Use ATMs inside bank branches during business hours. Shield the keypad with your free hand when entering your PIN. Refuse all unsolicited help. Use contactless payment or Pix where possible to avoid card insertion entirely. Check your account immediately after every ATM use.

Tourist Overpricing and Fake Guides

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Unlicensed guides in tourist areas (Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu, Manaus, Salvador) charge inflated fees, steer visitors to commission shops, or provide no service after payment. Metered taxis may take long routes or quote fixed prices well above the metered rate.

How to spot it
  • - Guide approaches unsolicited without an official CADASTUR badge (Brazilian tourism guide licence)
  • - Price for the tour is not agreed in writing before departure
  • - Taxi driver declines to use the meter or quotes a suspiciously high fixed price
  • - Strong pressure to visit specific shops or restaurants
What to do: Book guides through hotels, official tourism offices (Secretaria de Turismo) or platforms like GetYourGuide. Use Uber or 99 app for transparent ride pricing. Agree all prices in writing before services begin. Verify taxi meters are running from the moment you enter.

Reporting

Where to report: Civil Police (Polícia Civil) — report fraud at the nearest Delegacia or online via the state's portal (e.g. Delegacia Eletrônica). Federal Police (Polícia Federal) for immigration fraud and federal crimes. For cybercrime: SaferNet Brazil at www.safernet.org.br (online reporting of digital crimes). SENACON / consumidor.gov.br for consumer and commercial fraud. Banco Central do Brasil (bcb.gov.br) for financial institution and banking fraud. Emergency: 190 (police), 192 (ambulance), 193 (fire).

Consumer helpline: SENACON national platform: consumidor.gov.br — file complaints against companies (free, no registration required for basic queries). Local PROCON offices handle in-person consumer disputes; São Paulo PROCON: 151. Banco Central complaints (banking): bcb.gov.br. CDC Art. 49 gives consumers 7 calendar days to withdraw from distance purchases (internet, phone) for a full refund without justification.