Phone Scams in Uruguay Target Minors and Extort Large Sums Using Impersonation Tactics

Phone scams have become increasingly common in Uruguay, with recent cases demonstrating that criminals are targeting victims across all age groups, including minors. In one incident in Montevideo's Atahualpa neighbourhood, a woman was defrauded of 1.4 million pesos and US$50,000 after receiving a call claiming her daughter needed money for a legal matter. The scammers coordinated a handover at her home, but the fraud was exposed when the woman later contacted her daughter to inquire about how the money would be used—only to discover the daughter had no knowledge of the situation.

A second case in Colonia Valdense revealed an even more troubling pattern: scammers targeted a minor home alone by calling the house phone. Impersonating the girl's mother's lawyer, the caller falsely claimed the mother had been involved in a fatal traffic accident and was now detained and experiencing a nervous breakdown. The scammer pressured the teenager into gathering cash and valuables to pay a supposed bail, even conducting a video call to guide her on where and how to deliver the items. When the mother arrived home, she discovered her daughter had handed over 200,000 pesos, 300 euros, and several pieces of gold and silver jewellery.

These cases highlight a troubling shift in criminal targeting strategies. Unlike the traditional pattern of scammers focusing on elderly victims, perpetrators are now successfully exploiting people of all ages, including young people who may be more vulnerable to manipulation under pressure. Common tactics include keeping victims on the phone to prevent them from contacting others or thinking clearly—a "bubble effect" that isolates the target emotionally and mentally from outside verification.

Authorities and local media have advised potential victims to remain calm if they receive suspicious calls, avoid acting impulsively, and verify claims by contacting the individuals mentioned in the alleged emergency independently. The persistence of these scams despite widespread public awareness suggests that the psychological manipulation employed by scammers remains effective.