A 32-year-old Chilean tourist was the victim of a scam in Copacabana, resulting in a loss of R$ 5 thousand. The incident occurred on Tuesday (23) and was registered at the Tourism Support Police Station (Deat).
According to the police, the scam,known as the “caipirinha scam”, involved the interaction of the criminals with the victim while he consumed drinks on the streets.
The bandits approached the tourist and added more drink to his glass, later charging for the product, even though the victim had not requested it.
Initially, the amount charged was R$ 20, but the scammers claimed that the purchase had been refused. Using two card machines, the criminals carried out the transaction repeatedly, totaling a loss of R$ 5 thousand.
Leonardo Corrêa de Souza, 39, was arrested in flagrante for embezzlement, extortion and criminal association. He is accused of being part of the gang responsible for the coup.
Another suspect is Leonardo’s brother, who already has a criminal record for drug trafficking, while the third suspect, a 37-year-old man, has not yet been identified.
Leonardo did not give testimony and said that he will only manifest himself in court. His custody hearing is scheduled for Thursday (25).
The investigation continues to locate the third suspect and possible other victims of the scheme.
What should I do when I am a victim of a scam?
If you are a victim of a scam, it is essential to act quickly to minimize the damage and seek the appropriate solution. First, document the entire incident, keeping evidence such as emails, messages, and screenshots related to the scam.
Then, contact your financial institution to inform them of what happened, blocking accounts and cards if necessary.
File a police report so that an official investigation can be initiated. Also, notify the competent authorities, such as the Federal Revenue Service or Procon, depending on the nature of the scam.
Immediately after the incident, change all your passwords and set up two-factor authentication for added security. Closely monitor your bank accounts and credit cards, reporting any suspicious activity.
In more complex cases, consider consulting with an attorney to understand your rights and legal options. Seek information about the different types of scams and how to avoid them, to protect yourself from future incidents.
It is important to be cautious when sharing personal information and to verify the legitimacy of the requests you receive.
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