Venezuela Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
A guide to scams affecting people in Venezuela, from street crime and currency fraud to online investment and romance scams.
Emergency number: 171 (emergency), 0800-CICPC-00 (CICPC) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Venezuela faces significant economic instability, which has both fuelled local fraud and made residents vulnerable to scams offering false financial lifelines. Telephone fraud (called 'el cuento del tio') is widespread, with criminals impersonating officials or relatives to extract money or personal data. Online investment fraud, fake dollar exchange offers, and job scams promising work abroad are also prevalent. The CICPC's División de Delitos Informáticos handles cybercrime and offers an online reporting portal at delitosinformaticos.cicpc.gob.ve.
Common scams
- 'El cuento del tio' telephone impersonation fraud
- Fake dollar exchange and black-market currency scams
- Online investment and crypto fraud promising guaranteed returns
- Job scams promising well-paid work abroad requiring upfront fees
Tourist-specific scams
- Taxi overcharging and unlicensed driver scams
- Currency exchange fraud offering inflated black-market rates
- Fake tour operators in popular destinations like Los Roques
- Street theft and distraction scams in city centres
Online shopping scams
- Fake dollar remittance platforms stealing transfer funds
- Phishing attacks impersonating banks via WhatsApp and email
- Social media investment groups promising crypto or Forex profits
Job scams
- Overseas job offers requiring advance payment for visas or training
- Task scams paying small sums then demanding deposits to unlock earnings
Romance scams
- Online relationships cultivated over weeks leading to money requests
- Pig-butchering scams using romance to funnel victims into fake investment platforms
Investment scams
- Fraudulent crypto platforms promoted heavily on social media with fake testimonials
- Pyramid schemes exploiting economic hardship with promises of high returns
How to report a scam here
- Report cybercrime online at delitosinformaticos.cicpc.gob.ve — responses within one business day
- Call the CICPC emergency line or visit the nearest CICPC office for urgent cases
- Contact your bank immediately to freeze accounts and dispute any transfers
- Document all evidence including screenshots, messages and transaction 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 to block accounts and dispute transactions. For remittance fraud, also report to the platform used to send funds. Bring a CICPC case number when filing formal bank disputes.
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 'el cuento del tio' in Venezuela?
It is a telephone scam in which a caller impersonates a relative, official or authority figure to persuade the victim to hand over money or personal information. The name roughly translates to 'the uncle story' — a reference to invented emergencies involving a family member. Hang up and verify any such call through a number you know to be genuine.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance