Chile Scams: Online, Investment & Consumer Fraud Guide
Common scams in Chile and how to report them to CSIRT Nacional, SERNAC, the PDI, and your bank.
Emergency number: 133 (police), 131 (ambulance) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Chile has a high rate of internet use and a corresponding volume of online fraud including phishing, investment scams, fake online shops, and smishing targeting banking credentials. The CSIRT Nacional handles cyber incident reports, SERNAC takes consumer fraud complaints, and the PDI's Brigada del Cibercrimen investigates criminal cybercrime.
Chileans inherited the region's oldest con — the 'cuento del tío' — and its modern forms dominate: calls impersonating banks about 'suspicious charges' that harvest card details and coordinates, fake 'grandchild in trouble' and virtual-kidnapping calls demanding immediate deposits, and WhatsApp account theft via stolen verification codes that turns into urgent transfer requests to the victim's contacts. Marketplace fraud runs through Facebook, MercadoLibre, and Yapo with fake transfer receipts ('comprobantes' doctored to show payments that never happened) used against sellers, and non-delivery against buyers — always confirm money in your own cartola before releasing goods.
Phishing waves impersonate Chilean banks, Correos Chile with customs fees, the SII around tax season, and toll and fine notices. Investment fraud spans pyramid schemes, fake forex 'mentors' on Instagram, and crypto platforms that block withdrawals; check the CMF's registers and warnings before investing. Fake e-commerce sites cluster around CyberDay and Black Friday events with prices designed to short-circuit judgment. When money moves, call your bank immediately — recalls work best within hours — then file with the PDI or via CSIRT, and take consumer disputes to SERNAC.
Common scams
- Phishing and smishing targeting bank and e-wallet credentials
- Investment and crypto fraud
- Fake online shops and marketplace non-delivery
- Fake prize or parcel-fee SMS messages
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging or unlicensed taxis
- Distraction theft in city centres and tourist areas
- Fake tour and accommodation bookings via social media
Online shopping scams
- Phishing impersonating Chilean banks or Correos Chile
- Fake e-commerce sites
- Social media marketplace scams
- Doctored transfer receipts ('comprobantes') shown to sellers
Job scams
- Task scams via messaging apps
- Fake job offers requiring upfront documentation or equipment fees
- Fake remote-work ads harvesting identity documents
Romance scams
- Dating-app romance and cryptocurrency investment grooming
- Hijacked WhatsApp accounts asking contacts for urgent transfers
- Virtual-kidnapping and 'relative in trouble' extortion calls
Investment scams
- Fake trading platforms and clone broker firms
- Pyramid and multi-level investment schemes
- Instagram forex 'mentors' recruiting deposits with luxury imagery
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if money was transferred
- Report cybersecurity incidents to CSIRT Nacional at csirt.gob.cl
- Report criminal cybercrime to the PDI Brigada del Cibercrimen
- Report consumer fraud to SERNAC at sernac.cl or call 800 700 100
Local reporting & protection links
- Cybercrime reporting
- Consumer protection
- Police
- SERNAC consumer helpline — Call 800 700 100 (free within Chile) to reach SERNAC
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Phone your bank on the number on your card as soon as you can. A transfer is most likely to be halted or recalled in the first few hours, and the money is often passed on quickly after that. Say plainly that you were tricked into authorising the payment, which gets you to the fraud team. Ask for the receiving account to be reported and note the reference you are given. Chile's fraud law framework has shifted responsibility toward banks for unrecognised transactions in many cases, so dispute unauthorised charges formally in writing and escalate to the CMF or SERNAC if the bank refuses without justification. If you followed a link and entered card details, ask for the card to be reissued and change your banking credentials from another device. Sellers should verify transfers in their own account statement, never from a buyer's screenshot, before handing anything over, and a police report via the PDI gives your bank claim an official case behind it.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
What is CSIRT Nacional in Chile?
CSIRT Nacional is Chile's national computer security incident response team, now operating under the Agencia Nacional de Ciberseguridad (ANCI). It coordinates responses to significant cybersecurity incidents and provides public guidance on threats. Visit csirt.gob.cl for current alerts.
How do I report consumer fraud in Chile?
Report to SERNAC (Servicio Nacional del Consumidor) at sernac.cl or by calling the free helpline 800 700 100. SERNAC can mediate disputes between consumers and businesses and take enforcement action for systematic violations.
Is the PDI different from the Carabineros?
Yes. Chile has two police forces: the Carabineros de Chile (uniformed, emergency response, dial 133) and the PDI (Policía de Investigaciones, plainclothes investigative police). The PDI's Brigada del Cibercrimen is the specialist unit for digital crime investigations.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance