Emerging
Jun 18, 20261
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Phone Scams in Uruguay Target Minors and Extort Large Sums Using Impersonation Tactics

Recent phone scams in Uruguay have targeted victims of various ages, including minors, with criminals using impersonation tactics to extort large sums of money. One woman lost nearly US$100,000 after being told her daughter needed funds for legal matters, while a teenage girl was manipulated into surrendering cash and jewellery after a caller impersonated her mother's lawyer and falsely claimed her mother was in legal trouble.





Quick Facts
Who
A woman in Montevideo's Atahualpa neighbourhood
What
Phone scams using false claims about legal emergencies and traffic accidents
When
Recently (article published June 18, 2026)
Where
Montevideo, specifically Atahualpa neighbourhood
- Phone scams using false claims about legal emergencies and traffic accidents
- Victims pressured into withdrawing and delivering large sums of cash and valuables
- Scammers using video calls to guide victims on delivery methods
- Fraudsters keeping victims on the line to prevent them from contacting others
- A woman in Montevideo's Atahualpa neighbourhood
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.
Why This Matters
These scams demonstrate a dangerous evolution in fraud tactics: criminals are no longer targeting only the elderly but are successfully manipulating victims across all age groups, including minors home alone. The psychological manipulation techniques—keeping victims on the phone, creating artificial urgency, using video calls—are effective enough to overcome skepticism, resulting in substantial financial losses. Understanding these tactics is critical for families and communities to implement protective measures and recognize warning signs before money or valuables are surrendered.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireMontevideo Portal publishes report on recent phone scam cases in Uruguay