Brazil
Scams in São Paulo
Active scams and fraud schemes targeting people in São Paulo (12.3M population). These scams are tracked across Brazil and are known to affect residents in the São Paulo area. Learn the warning signs, check what is trending, and find out where to report.
Report fraud in São Paulo
Where to report scams
If you have been scammed in São Paulo, report it through the official Brazil channels. Acting fast improves your chances of recovery and helps protect others in your area.
Scam index
Scams affecting people in São Paulo
14 scams tracked across Brazil
Gmail account recovery phishing scam
A phishing email or notification claims someone is trying to access your Gmail account, directing you to a fake Google login page to steal your credentials.
Go directly to myaccount.google.com/security to review recent security activity — never use links from emails.
Gmail users
U.S.
YouTube monetization scam
Fake emails claim to be from YouTube's Partner Program, asking creators to verify their monetization status through a phishing link that steals their Google account credentials.
Check monetization status directly in YouTube Studio at studio.youtube.com — not through email links.
YouTube creators
U.S.
fake court ruling news scam
Fabricated news about major court rulings is spread on social media to provoke outrage and drive clicks to ad-fraud sites, phishing pages, or donation scams.
Verify court rulings through official court websites, PACER, or established legal news outlets.
Political followers
U.S.
rogue security software install scam
A website prompts you to install a free security tool that claims to find dozens of threats on your computer, then demands payment to remove them.
Uninstall the rogue software immediately using your system's Add/Remove Programs or a legitimate anti-malware tool like Malwarebytes.
Non-technical users
U.S.
mobile security app scam
A fake mobile security app on an unofficial app store or sideloaded APK claims to protect your phone but actually collects personal data, displays intrusive ads, or subscribes you to premium services.
Uninstall the app immediately and review all app permissions in your phone's settings.
Non-technical users
U.S.
Outlook account suspended phishing scam
A phishing email warns that your Outlook or Hotmail account has been suspended for violating terms of service, urging you to verify your identity on a fake page.
Sign in to your Outlook account directly at outlook.com to verify its status — if you can log in, it is not suspended.
Email users
U.S.
Google Play Store clone app scam
Malicious clone apps on Google Play copy the branding and functionality of popular apps to harvest user data, inject ads, or install additional malware.
Download apps only from verified developer accounts and check that the developer matches the official company
Android users
U.S.
fake photo editor app scam
Scam photo editing apps lure users with free filters and features, then demand expensive subscriptions, harvest photos, or install adware on the device.
Check app permissions before installing and deny access to data the app does not need for its core function
Smartphone users
U.S.
fake antivirus app scam
Bogus antivirus apps display fake threat warnings to scare users into purchasing premium versions or granting device administrator permissions that enable data theft.
Use antivirus apps only from established security companies such as Norton, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, or Kaspersky
Smartphone users
U.S.
fake Uber driver at airport scam
Imposters posing as Uber drivers approach travelers at airports, offering rides in unmarked vehicles and charging inflated fares or, in worst cases, committing robbery.
Always request your Uber through the app and verify the driver's name, photo, car make/model, and license plate before getting in.
Travelers
U.S.
Uber surge price manipulation scam
Drivers coordinate to temporarily go offline in busy areas to artificially trigger surge pricing, then go back online to collect inflated fares from passengers.
Wait a few minutes before booking when you see sudden surge pricing — artificial surges typically resolve quickly.
Uber riders
U.S.
political deepfake robocall scam
AI-cloned voices of political figures are used in robocalls to spread disinformation, suppress voter turnout, or solicit fraudulent donations during election periods.
Verify any election information through your state or local election board's official website.
Voters
U.S.
parental control app scam
Fake parental control apps advertised to concerned parents actually contain spyware that monitors the parent's device instead, stealing banking credentials and personal data.
Only install parental control apps from established developers available in the official app stores, such as Bark, Qustodio, or Google Family Link.
Parents
U.S.
social media airdrop link scam
Fake airdrop announcements on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok use engagement bait to drive clicks to phishing sites that steal wallet credentials or personal data.
Verify any airdrop by checking the project official website and verified social media accounts
Crypto users
U.S.