These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Brasile, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Come funziona: Roving vendors sell drinks, snacks or trinkets on the sand without listed prices, then charge tourists far more than the normal rate.
Come evitarla: Ask the price before accepting anything, carry small notes, and note that fixed kiosks usually display clearer prices than walking vendors.
Come funziona: People posing as plain-clothes police stop you to 'check' your wallet, passport or money for counterfeits, then remove cash or cards.
Come evitarla: Real officers do not inspect your cash on the street. Do not hand over your wallet, offer to walk to a police station or busy area, and keep documents secured.
Come funziona: Machines in quiet spots are fitted with card skimmers or hidden cameras, or a 'helper' offers assistance to capture your card and PIN.
Come evitarla: Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres during the day, cover the keypad, decline any help, and check the card slot for anything loose.
Come funziona: A driver claims the meter is broken, runs a higher night tariff by day, or takes a long detour to inflate the fare.
Come evitarla: Prefer a ride-hailing app with the price shown in advance. In a street taxi insist on the meter, watch the route on your phone, and pay with small notes.
Come funziona: Criminals briefly seize a victim — often near nightlife, bars or after a rideshare mix-up — and force them to withdraw cash at ATMs or send money by PIX instant transfer up to their daily limit before releasing them.
Come evitarla: This is uncommon for careful visitors but real: set a low daily PIX and ATM limit, avoid flashing wealth, use booked ride apps rather than street taxis at night, and if targeted, comply calmly — your safety is worth more than the money.
Come funziona: Thieves on foot or on motorbikes grab phones from hands and necklaces from necks in a second, often at traffic lights, crowded corners or while you stand filming or navigating on the street.
Come evitarla: Keep your phone in your pocket on the move and step into a shop or cafe to use it, wear no visible jewellery, and stay alert at intersections. A cheap second phone for the street saves your main one.
Come funziona: At the Municipal Market, some fruit-stall vendors press free 'tastings' of exotic fruit on tourists, then bag a large amount and demand a wildly inflated price — visitors have reported being charged hundreds of reais for a small selection.
Come evitarla: Politely decline unsolicited tastings, ask the price per kilo up front, and say exactly how much you want. Buy only what you have agreed a price for, and walk away if a vendor gets pushy.
Come funziona: ATMs in quiet or street-facing spots may be fitted with card skimmers or hidden cameras, or a 'helpful' stranger may hover to capture your card and PIN.
Come evitarla: Use ATMs inside banks, malls or the airport during the day, cover the keypad as you type, decline any help, and check the card slot for anything loose before inserting your card.
Come funziona: A street-taxi driver claims the meter is broken, runs the higher night tariff (bandeira 2) during the day, or takes a longer route to pad the fare on tourists who don't know the way.
Come evitarla: Use an app like Uber or 99 where the price is fixed in advance. In a metered taxi insist on the meter and the correct tariff, and follow the route on your phone's map.
Come funziona: In crowds, on public transport or at outdoor tables, a team distracts you — a spilled drink, a dropped item, a question or a fake petition — while an accomplice lifts your bag, wallet or phone.
Come evitarla: Keep bags zipped, in front of you and never hung on a chair or left on a table, carry only what you need, and be extra alert when someone unexpectedly crowds or engages you.