Costa Rica Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams targeting tourists and residents in Costa Rica, from rental car damage claims to rapidly rising digital banking fraud, with official OIJ reporting channels.
Emergency number: 911 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Costa Rica is a major eco-tourism destination and home to a large expat community, making it a target for both tourist-focused and online scams. On the ground, the recurring tourist patterns are rental-car operators claiming pre-existing damage — especially at drop-offs and border crossings — 'pirate' taxis working airports and beach towns at invented rates, fake or double-booked vacation rentals for Guanacaste and the Pacific coast, and the timeshare-style 'vacation club' presentations that pressure visitors into contracts. Photograph hire cars exhaustively and insist on licensed red taxis or registered ride-hailing.
Online, fraud now runs through SINPE Movil, the phone-number-based instant transfer system nearly every Costa Rican uses. Scammers call impersonating Banco Nacional, BCR or BAC security, talk victims through 'reversing' a supposed fraudulent charge, and walk away with a SINPE transfer; fake payment confirmations are flashed at small sellers; and phishing pages imitate the banks' login screens. WhatsApp hijacking is rampant — a fraudster tricks the victim into reading out the verification code, takes over the account, and begs every contact for an urgent loan. The large English-speaking expat community is separately targeted with property, residency-'fixer' and offshore-investment schemes.
The Organismo de Investigacion Judicial (OIJ) operates a Specialized Section Against Cybercrime that receives reports around the clock. Bank first, OIJ second, and warn your WhatsApp contacts immediately if your account was taken.
Common scams
- Digital banking and online payment fraud
- WhatsApp verification code hijacking scams
- Fake rental car damage claims
- Investment and crypto fraud via social media
Tourist-specific scams
- Rental car damage claims for pre-existing damage, especially at borders
- Unlicensed taxi (pirate taxi) overcharging at airports and tourist areas
- Fake accommodation listings on third-party booking platforms
- Distraction theft at beaches and popular tourist sites
Online shopping scams
- WhatsApp account hijacking via fake verification code requests
- Phishing targeting Banco Nacional, BCR, and other Costa Rican banks
- Fake online classifieds and marketplace non-delivery
Job scams
- Fake remote work offers requiring personal document submission
- Fraudulent seasonal tourism job offers requiring advance fees
- Task scams via WhatsApp paying small sums then demanding deposits
Romance scams
- Dating-app relationships escalating to financial or investment requests
- Social media romance fraud from overseas contacts targeting expats
- Hijacked WhatsApp accounts begging the victim's own contacts for loans
Investment scams
- Fake forex and crypto trading platforms promoted on social media
- Ponzi schemes targeting the large Costa Rican expat community
- Property, residency-'fixer' and offshore schemes aimed at foreign retirees
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if money has been transferred — Costa Rican banks have fraud hotlines
- Report cybercrime to the OIJ Specialized Section Against Cybercrime: call 2295-3643 or WhatsApp +506 8800-0645
- Use the OIJ confidential hotline 800-8000-645 (free, 24 hours)
- Dial 911 for emergencies
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Costa Rican banks have fraud hotlines, so call yours immediately using the number on your card or in the app, never one supplied by whoever contacted you. State that you were deceived into authorising the payment, ask for it to be stopped and the receiving account reported, and take a reference number. SINPE Movil transfers are near-instant, so report within minutes if you can — give the bank the recipient's phone number and the exact time, and ask for the receiving account to be flagged before cash-out. If you passed on a verification code or allowed remote access, say so and change your banking credentials; if WhatsApp was hijacked, re-register your number and warn contacts at once. Alongside that, the OIJ Cybercrime Section works 24 hours on 2295-3643 or WhatsApp +506 8800-0645. Card payments to fake rentals or 'vacation clubs' can additionally be disputed as chargebacks through your issuer.
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 the OIJ in Costa Rica?
The Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) is Costa Rica's judicial police and the primary body responsible for investigating crimes including cybercrime and fraud. Its Specialized Section Against Cybercrime can be reached 24/7 at 2295-3643 or via WhatsApp at +506 8800-0645.
What are SINPE Movil scams?
SINPE Movil is Costa Rica's phone-number-based instant transfer system, and fraudsters exploit it with fake bank-security calls that talk victims through 'reversing' a charge, flashed fake payment confirmations, and phishing pages imitating bank logins. Confirm receipts inside your own banking app, and remember that no bank asks you to transfer money to fix fraud.
How does WhatsApp hijacking work in Costa Rica?
A fraudster triggers WhatsApp's re-registration on your number and, posing as a friend or a raffle organiser, persuades you to read out the six-digit code that arrives by SMS. With it they take over your account and ask every contact for an urgent loan. Never share that code, enable two-step verification in WhatsApp settings, and warn contacts immediately if it happens.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance