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Costa Rica (CR)

Costa Rica is Central America's most stable democracy — a small, lush republic that abolished its army in 1948 and instead invested in education, healthcare, and the environment.

Capital: San José
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: CRC (₡)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 48)
Emergency: 911
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Scam Warnings

Common scams targeting expats in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica recorded 10,027 online fraud cases in 2025 — a 41% increase year-on-year — with digital scams on course to become the country's single largest crime category in 2026. Virtual kidnapping extortion surged 625% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Three golden rules for expats: verify all property titles independently at the Registro Nacional before any payment; use only licensed lawyers (abogados colegiados) for immigration and real estate; and treat any unsolicited urgent payment request by phone or WhatsApp as fraudulent until independently confirmed.

Property Title Fraud and Coastal Land Misrepresentation

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Organised real estate fraud rings in Costa Rica — some involving corrupt notaries — steal properties from foreign owners by performing illegal title transfers on vacant or abandoned land. Sellers or agents also misrepresent Maritime Zone (ZMT) concession land as titled freehold. A specifically Costa Rican risk: informal occupants (precaristas) who squat on undeveloped land for 12 months gain a legal possession presumption, making eviction a multi-year court process. Multiple foreign buyers have lost USD $100,000+ in Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula.

How to spot it
  • - Seller cannot or will not provide a current Registro Nacional title extract (estudio registral) from their own account
  • - Coastal property presented as titled freehold — ZMT status must always be independently verified
  • - Price significantly below comparable properties — "motivated seller" or urgent-liquidation narrative
  • - Pressure for a fast closing without adequate due diligence time (less than 30 days)
  • - Seller insists on cash payment or wire transfer to a personal account rather than escrow
  • - Agent recommends you use the seller's own lawyer (serious conflict of interest)
What to do: Always obtain a fresh title search (estudio registral) from your own independent lawyer — never rely on documents provided by the seller or agent. For coastal properties, require a specialist ZMT legal opinion. Use formal escrow through a licensed escrow company for any deposit. Verify the notary is colegiado at the Colegio de Notarios. If you suspect fraud: report to OIJ (oij.poder-judicial.go.cr) and the Registro Nacional immediately.

Virtual Kidnapping Extortion

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OIJ reported a 625% surge in virtual kidnapping complaints in the first five months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 (58 vs 8 cases). Criminals identify targets — typically people who advertise services online (rentals, tours, trades, real estate) — contact them under the pretext of a job, arrange an isolated meeting, and then keep the victim on the phone while accomplices call a family member demanding a ransom. No one is actually abducted, but victims are psychologically paralysed by fear. OIJ confirms the highest concentration in Pérez Zeledón, San José and Alajuela.

How to spot it
  • - You are lured to an isolated meeting under a business pretext and then kept on the phone with threats
  • - A family member receives a simultaneous call claiming you have been kidnapped
  • - Callers claim snipers or accomplices will harm you if you hang up or try to leave
  • - Demand for immediate cash ransom via SINPE Móvil or wire transfer
  • - Callers have specific personal information about you drawn from your online business profiles
What to do: If you are in this situation: signal distress to anyone nearby, attempt to move toward people, and try to call or text 911 or OIJ (2295-3639). If a family member receives a kidnapping call: do not send money immediately — call the alleged victim on their known mobile number first, as the victim is almost certainly free. Report all incidents to OIJ (oij.poder-judicial.go.cr). Minimise the personal contact information visible in online business listings.

Fake Police Officer Shakedown (Policía Falso)

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Individuals posing as plainclothes police claim to be investigating drug activity or illegal currency exchange and ask to inspect your wallet or passport. They steal cash, credit cards or demand a bribe. Particularly common in tourist areas of San José (Barrio Amón, La Sabana, Mercado Central) and beach town streets.

How to spot it
  • - Plainclothes individual claiming to be police in a tourist street or restaurant without a police vehicle nearby
  • - Request to inspect your wallet or passport on the street
  • - High-pressure urgency — "you must come with us now" — without formal identification offered
  • - Individual is accompanied by 1–2 others acting as bystanders or witnesses
  • - No official police badge (placa) number offered, or resistance when you say you will call 911
What to do: Calmly state you are calling 911 to verify identity and do so immediately. Real Costa Rican police will not object to a 911 verification call. Do not hand over your wallet or passport. Move toward a crowded public space. Fake officers typically retreat when you dial 911. Report completed incidents to OIJ at oij.poder-judicial.go.cr.

Timeshare Resale and Exit Scam

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Timeshare owners are cold-called or emailed by companies claiming to have a ready buyer or offering to cancel their contract for an upfront fee. These "resale companies" collect USD $1,000–$10,000+ in advance fees for marketing, legal, notary or escrow services, then disappear or fabricate reasons why the sale fell through. A related variant: owners are told they have maintenance arrears and must pay a "release fee" to avoid legal action.

How to spot it
  • - Unsolicited contact about your timeshare from an unknown company
  • - Claims of a specific buyer willing to pay above market price for your unit
  • - Any request for upfront fees before a sale is completed
  • - "Government fees" or "escrow" demanded immediately by wire transfer
  • - High-pressure deadlines — "this buyer is only available until Friday"
What to do: Never pay upfront fees to a timeshare resale company — legitimate services earn commission from the actual sale only, not advance fees. To exit a timeshare: consult a licensed Costa Rican lawyer (abogado colegiado) about legal cancellation options under your specific contract. Report to MEIC/DIACO (meic.go.cr, 2549-1400) and OIJ if you have already paid.

WhatsApp and Phone Phishing Impersonating Hacienda, CCSS or DGME

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Fraudsters impersonate Hacienda (tax authority), CCSS (social security), DGME (immigration) or banks via phone or WhatsApp, claiming outstanding debts, account problems or visa issues requiring immediate payment via SINPE Móvil or wire transfer. OIJ warned specifically about WhatsApp verification code scams in May 2026 — criminals request the code to take over the victim's account. Government agencies never demand payment through WhatsApp messages or personal SINPE Móvil numbers.

How to spot it
  • - Unsolicited call or WhatsApp message about taxes, CCSS contributions or immigration status
  • - Urgent demand for immediate payment to avoid a fine, account closure or deportation
  • - Request to share a one-time WhatsApp verification code, banking login or password
  • - Payment requested via SINPE Móvil to an individual mobile number rather than an official corporate account
What to do: Hang up and call the official agency number directly: Hacienda 2539-4777; CCSS 800-800-7777; DGME 2299-8100. Never share WhatsApp or SMS codes with anyone. Report phishing attempts to OIJ cybercrime (oij.poder-judicial.go.cr).

Investment Scheme Fraud Targeting Expats

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Costa Rica's expat community is periodically targeted by fraudulent investment schemes: eco-lodge and agritourism "investments", real estate development projects, cryptocurrency farms and high-yield investment programmes (HYIPs). Several schemes have taken USD $1 million+ from expats. These typically use social proof from the expat community, professional websites and promised annual returns of 15–30%.

How to spot it
  • - Returns promised above 8% annually (unrealistic for any legitimate Costa Rican investment)
  • - Investment promoted primarily through expat Facebook groups or at expat social events
  • - Company not registered with SUGEF (sugef.fi.cr) or SUGEVAL (sugeval.fi.cr)
  • - No formal prospectus, audited financials or regulatory registration available
  • - Limited investment windows — "spots closing next week"
  • - Word-of-mouth testimonials only; no independently verifiable track record
What to do: Check whether any investment company is registered with SUGEF (sugef.fi.cr) or SUGEVAL (sugeval.fi.cr) before investing. Consult an independent Costa Rican lawyer and a licensed financial advisor before any commitment. Report suspected fraud to SUGEF, SUGEVAL or OIJ financial crimes (oij.poder-judicial.go.cr). If already defrauded: file immediately — time is critical for asset recovery.

Rental Deposit Fraud and Fake Listings

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Scammers collect 1–3 months deposit plus first-month rent then deny access or disappear. Variants include fake listings using real property photos on Facebook and rental platforms; real landlords collecting deposits from multiple prospective tenants simultaneously; and landlords with no ownership of the property. Tico Times reported on fake accommodation deposit scams using real property photos in January 2026.

How to spot it
  • - Landlord claims to be abroad and requests an international wire before any meeting
  • - Rental price significantly below market for the area
  • - Landlord refuses to show the property in person before any payment
  • - Deposit requested before a formal contract is signed
  • - Property photos are findable on international real estate platforms via reverse image search
What to do: Always visit the property in person before paying anything. Verify the landlord is the registered owner at the Registro Nacional using the property registration number (número de finca). Pay the deposit only after signing a formal rental contract. Use SINPE Móvil or bank transfer for all payments to maintain a traceable record. Report fraud to OIJ.

Fake Immigration Agents and Unlicensed DGME "Consultants"

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Unlicensed individuals and companies claim to be DGME-approved immigration agents and charge fees for services they cannot legally provide. Some collect document fees and then stop communicating. Others produce fake DIMEX cards or residency approval letters to delay victims discovering the fraud.

How to spot it
  • - Agent is not a licensed abogado colegiado — not searchable in the Colegio de Abogados directory at abogados.or.cr
  • - Unusually low fees for a complete residency application
  • - Guarantees of residency approval in unrealistically short timeframes ("residency in 30 days")
  • - No physical office address or formal written service contract
  • - Large upfront cash payment demanded before any work begins
What to do: Verify any immigration professional's colegiado number at abogados.or.cr before engaging. Only licensed lawyers can legally submit DGME applications on your behalf. Use ARCR's vetted lawyer referral list. Never pay cash without a formal receipt and written service agreement. Report unlicensed practice to the Colegio de Abogados and fraud to OIJ.

Used Vehicle Purchase Fraud

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Buying a used vehicle in Costa Rica carries several fraud risks: outstanding liens (prenda) inherited by the buyer; stolen vehicles appearing clean in some registries; odometer tampering; concealed accident history; unpaid Marchamo arrears; and recent RTV technical-inspection failures hidden from the buyer.

How to spot it
  • - Seller refuses to allow an independent pre-purchase mechanical inspection
  • - Price significantly below market for the year and model
  • - No clear ownership history or missing prior registration documents
  • - Seller wants to complete the transfer without a notarial act
  • - Vehicle has no current RTV certificate or one obtained very recently before the sale
What to do: Run a full vehicle history search at COSEVI (csv.go.cr) using the plate and chassis number. Check the Registro Nacional for any prenda (lien). Complete all transfers through a licensed notary at the Registro Nacional de Vehículos. Have the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic before purchase. If fraud is discovered post-purchase: file with OIJ and consult a lawyer immediately.

Reporting

Where to report: OIJ (Organismo de Investigación Judicial — judicial police): primary authority for fraud and criminal complaints. File online or in person: oij.poder-judicial.go.cr, tel. 2295-3000. Emergency: 911 (unified emergency number for police, fire and ambulance — confirmed in service). MEIC/DIACO (meic.go.cr, tel. 2549-1400): consumer fraud and unfair commercial practices. SUGEF (sugef.fi.cr): banking and financial institution fraud. SUGEVAL (sugeval.fi.cr): investment fraud and unlicensed advisors. Colegio de Abogados (abogados.or.cr): unlicensed legal practice.

Consumer helpline: MEIC Dirección de Apoyo al Consumidor: 2549-1400 (weekdays 8:00–16:00); free consumer line 800-CONSUMO (800-2667866); meic.go.cr. OIJ fraud reports: 2295-3000. Under Costa Rica's Ley 7472 (Ley de Promoción de la Competencia y Defensa Efectiva del Consumidor), consumers have an 8-day right of withdrawal for distance purchases (online, by phone, door-to-door). Costa Rica is not in the SEPA zone — wire transfers and local payment systems (SINPE Móvil) apply.