Guatemala Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams affecting tourists and residents in Guatemala and how to report them through official channels.
Emergency number: 110 (police), 1500 (PNC) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Guatemala attracts millions of visitors to its colonial cities, volcanoes and Mayan ruins, but both tourists and residents face fraud including taxi overcharging, market scams, and increasingly sophisticated online and investment fraud. The Policía Nacional Civil (PNC) is the main law enforcement body for reporting crimes; its services portal at policiales.pnc.gob.gt handles formal complaints. The emergency number is 110 (police) or 1500 (PNC general line). Online shopping fraud, fake job offers, and pig-butchering investment scams are the most frequently reported digital frauds targeting Guatemalans.
Common scams
- Online shopping non-delivery and fake e-commerce sites
- Fake job offers requiring upfront visa or processing fees
- Investment and crypto platform scams
- Distraction theft and express robbery in tourist areas
Tourist-specific scams
- Unofficial taxi overcharging and rigged meters
- Counterfeit currency given as change at markets
- Fake tour guides and unofficial excursion operators
- Distraction theft at tourist sites such as Antigua and Lake Atitlan
Online shopping scams
- Fake online shops and social media marketplaces
- Phishing impersonating Guatemalan banks
- Romance and pig-butchering crypto investment fraud
Job scams
- Fake overseas job offers requiring document or visa fees upfront
- Task scams via messaging apps with escalating deposit demands
Romance scams
- Dating-app relationships escalating to cryptocurrency investment requests
- Social media romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals
Investment scams
- Fake forex and crypto trading platforms promising guaranteed returns
- Pyramid and multi-level recruitment schemes
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if money was sent — request a freeze on the transaction
- Call the PNC on 110 or 1500, or file a complaint via the PNC services portal at policiales.pnc.gob.gt
- For anonymous tips, contact Crime Stoppers Guatemala via WhatsApp at 3764-1561
- Preserve all digital evidence: messages, screenshots, account details, and payment records
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately using the official helpline on your card or app. Acting quickly gives the best chance of halting a fraudulent transfer before funds are moved.
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
How do I report a scam to the PNC in Guatemala?
You can file a complaint via the PNC services portal at policiales.pnc.gob.gt, call 1583, or visit any local police station. For anonymous tips, Crime Stoppers Guatemala accepts reports via WhatsApp at 3764-1561.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance