Common scams in Argentina

The scams you'll actually run into

1. The mustard / bird-mess distraction

   A substance is squirted or dropped on your back or shoulder; a helpful passer-by appears with tissues to clean you up, and while you're distracted your bag, phone or wallet is taken.

   H.A.C.K. · Comfort

   The move — If something lands on you, don't stop and don't let anyone “help”. Hold your bag, walk to a shop or café, and clean up there.

2. Counterfeit pesos in change and from “arbolitos”

   Street money changers (“arbolitos”) offering the blue-dollar rate, and some shops and taxis, pass fake 1,000 and 2,000 peso notes in change.

   H.A.C.K. · Comfort

   The move — Change money at a bank or an established casa de cambio. Learn the security features of the big notes, and check change under a light before moving off.

3. Taxi note-switch and long routes

   You pay with a 2,000 peso note; the driver palms it and shows a 200, claiming you underpaid. Or the meter is on the wrong tariff, or the route loops.

   H.A.C.K. · Hurry

   The move — State the note's value out loud as you hand it over. Use the Cabify or Uber app, or radio taxis, and watch your route on a map.

4. “Flat tyre” at a stop light

   Someone points at your car or taxi tyre; when the driver or you step out, an accomplice takes bags from inside.

   H.A.C.K. · Hurry

   The move — Don't stop where you are. Continue to a petrol station and check there, doors locked.

5. Fake police document check

   Plain-clothes “officers” ask for your passport and wallet to check for fake dollars or drugs, removing cash during the search.

   H.A.C.K. · Authority

   The move — Real police don't inspect your cash in the street. Offer to go to a station, keep your wallet, and carry a passport copy rather than the original.

What these scams have in common

Most Argentina scams lean on Hurry and Comfort. Whatever the trick, the way out is the same three moves — Pause · Assess · Talk: stop before you pay, hand over a document or follow someone; ask what the request really wants; then say it out loud to someone you trust, or your bank on the number from your card.

Argentina travel-scam FAQ

Official travel advisories for Argentina

Fraud and scam wording pulled from the official Canadian and New Zealand travel advisories. Use the government sources for current travel decisions.

Scam guides for nearby destinations

H.A.C.K. — the four pressure tactics

Every scam on this page is tagged with the tactic it uses. Recognise the tactic, not the trick.

H Hurry

Urgency. A deadline, a countdown or a “right now” that leaves no time to check.

A Authority

Officialdom. A badge, a title, a uniform or an official-sounding request you feel you can't question.

C Comfort

Familiarity. A friendly local, a routine or an emotion that makes the request feel safer than it is.

K Kill-Switch

The cut-off. The moment you're pushed to pay, click, hand over a document or follow someone — before you can verify.

The way out of all four: Pause · Assess · Talk.