Q COSTARICA — Digital fraud targeting senior citizens in Costa Rica has adopted methods that combine obtaining public data, psychological pressure, and the use of digital tools to access accounts and savings.
Although this group does not lead the statistics for reported cases, it represents a significant target due to the potential amount of funds in their accounts.
During 2024, the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) recorded 812 reports of cyber fraud against people aged 65 and over.
In comparison, the 30-39 age group filed 1,872 reports during the same period, indicating that senior citizens are not the most affected in terms of numbers, but they may be more vulnerable in economic terms, explained Raúl Rivera, cybersecurity advisor for the Costa Rican Banking Association.
Common Methods and Mechanisms of Deception
One of the most common methods involves impersonating municipal officials. According to Yorkssan Carvajal, head of the Cybercrimes Unit of the OIJ, scammers access the Property Registry using fake accounts, search for properties registered in the names of senior citizens, and contact them to inform them about supposed tax refunds.
The procedure usually begins with a phone call in which the scammer creates a sense of urgency and requests personal information or access to a digital signature, arguing that “the process must be completed today.”
Experts consulted indicate that this pressure is key to ensnaring the victim.
Subsequently, the criminals send links via phone calls or WhatsApp messages. Bernardo Barrientos, an Information Security and Cyber Risk specialist at Banco Nacional, pointed out that these links lead to fake websites designed to steal banking information. For this reason, experts recommend not accessing banking websites through links received in messages and always using official channels.
Banking and government entities do not use WhatsApp for official communications. Accessing websites by typing the address directly into the browser is another suggested preventative measure.
Anyone can be affected by this type of fraud, regardless of age or socioeconomic status. The criminals operate en masse, waiting for those who fall for their schemes to react. The lower technological exposure of the older population partly explains why they don’t lead the number of reported cases, Carvajal indicated, according to El Observador.
Romantic Scams and New Variations
Romantic fraud is another method identified by Raúl Lacayo, Head of Bank Security at Banco Popular. In this case, the scammer establishes a fictitious relationship with the victim and, after gaining their trust, requests the opening of a bank account and the shipment of a card abroad. In this way, the criminals can manipulate up to 14 victims simultaneously.
The objective is not limited to stealing money; the victim can end up becoming part of a network that facilitates other scams. When this happens, the recommendation is to contact the bank immediately to block the accounts, since, according to Carvajal, the funds can be transferred out of the victim’s reach in ten minutes.
Digitalization has increased access to electronic banking services for the elderly population, creating new opportunities for criminals.
Previously, many scams occurred in public places, but the health crisis accelerated the adoption of digital tools without specific security training, according to Carvajal.
Recommendations and Prevention
To reduce the risk of becoming a victim of fraud, experts suggest being wary of unexpected calls or messages requesting personal or banking information, especially if there is pressure to act quickly.
The main recommendation is to avoid accessing banking websites through links sent by third parties and not to share sensitive information outside of official channels. If you have any suspicions, contact your financial institution and the authorities as soon as possible.
Although older adults are not the group with the highest number of reported cases, their possession of assets and pension accounts makes them a target for scammers.
Protecting savings requires vigilance and implementing preventative measures in the digital environment.