The number of scams continues to rise in Rio de Janeiro. Between January and August there were 84.745 occurrences in the state, an increase of 105% compared to the first eight months of 2021. The number is equivalent to an average of a scam recorded every 4 minutes. In August of this year alone, there were 11.560 such crime records.
This Content Is Only For Subscribers
To unlock this content, subscribe to INTERLIRA Reports.
Our analysis:
Virtual scams are already common on the internet, especially with the increase in the use of online payments and the PIX technology.
- Beware of malicious links: The tip is to be suspicious of links with unknown origin, even when sent by known people. Messenger applications (such as WhatsApp and Telegram) and emails are the most common sources of malicious links.
- The password is secret and unique; create original and strong passwords: The tip for having a strong password is to use a combination of numbers, letters, and symbols with at least eight characters. Passwords must be complex, but easy to remember, ideally they should not be written anywhere. If it needs to be stored anywhere, proper precaution should be taken, a password management software is recommended. Do not use the same password for everything.
- Another important precaution is to activate the two-factor activation functionality when it becomes available. Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and WhatsApp, DropBox, Apple and Twitter already offer the service that works as an additional protection.
- Check the websites: The crime of stealing personal data for online fraud can start with a tempting promotion that refers to a fake screen.
- Check the data on the bill: The generation of fake bills has been a very common criminal modality. Scammers generate a bill and enter false bank details. The slip has the bank’s name, the bank’s logo, the name and CNPJ of the beneficiary, so, to make sure you are paying the right document, check if the first three numbers of the barcode refer to the issuing bank, if the CNPJ and the company name are correct and be aware of errors in Portuguese.
- Use the virtual card: At ATMs, whenever possible, access the account using biometric data (such as fingerprint or palm). For online purchases, use the single virtual card, that is, ask the bank to generate a new number for each purchase. Normally, if the financial institution offers the service, the virtual card is accessed via the Internet Banking application.
According to Companhia de Engenharia de Tráfego do Rio de Janeiro (CET-Rio), more than 52 thousand meters of wiring were stolen by criminals between January and August 2022, which already exceeds the entire year of 2021 and caused losses of R$ 3.1 million. The problem affects different parts of the city and causes inconvenience to drivers and pedestrians, as well as money loss, at a speed that defies public agencies. The main problem is the blackouts in traffic lights that can lead to accidents. The Tijuca region is the one with the highest number of thefts. This year, the region already accounts for 39% of the reports. In the first three months alone, more than 30.000 meters were stolen. To try to stop the theft of cables and controllers of traffic signals, CET-Rio started installing controllers on top of the poles, those large boxes with equipment that regulate the operation of various signals. Under the controllers, metallic claws were installed to prevent access by criminals.
17/09/2022 – The Civil Police arrested five people suspected of being part of a gang specialized in carrying out the ‘home ownership scam’. At the time of the arrest, the group was trying to deceive three families who intended to buy real estate. According to one of the victims, people were attracted by internet advertisements, with attractive offers of fake financing for the purchase of houses.
17/09/2022 – A group of four youths was robbed on Eduardo Guinle Street, in Botafogo, South Zone, by two criminals. The robbery lasted less than 30 seconds and was caught by a building’s security camera. The footage shows a group of four people walking around 2 am. A vehicle approaches and stops with the door open, while an armed man approaches, and everyone is surrendered. After searching the youths, the robber takes a bag and then returns to the car.
Our analysis:
With the high crime rate on the streets, the need to protect against attacks and robberies is increasing, and prevention is still the best solution.
- Don’t fiddle with your cell phone and stay alert
- Avoid walking alone
- Avoid walking unaccompanied in remote places and/or at late hours
- Before leaving the house, mentally outline the route you are going to take, avoid going through deserted or poorly lit places.
- If strangers approach with suspicious attitudes, change the sidewalk, go into a general store or any other inhabited place you find and ask for help
- Avoid drawing attention with purses and cell phone
- Do not carry large amounts of cash or other valuables in your purse or backpack
- Be discreet and avoid wearing chains, watches, medals, bracelets, and other jewellery
18/09/2022 – Two criminals were arrested while trying to steal a car in Laranjeiras, South Zone. Both of them, as well as two other criminals, also armed, tried to steal a car on Alice Street. According to information from the military police, the vehicle belonged to a military police officer, who shot the criminals. Another police officer who was on the street in plain clothes also reacted. Two criminals fled abandoning the car and two were arrested.
18/09/2022 – A shooting between criminals and military police ended with one criminal dead and another arrested in Taquara, West Zone. The Military Police Department reported that military police officers were informed about two armed individuals committing robberies in the region. The police team began a siege in the indicated area and managed to intercept the vehicle. According to the military police officers who were at the event, the two individuals ran and shot and the police reacted.
19/09/2022 – A military police officer was arrested for attempted murder after shooting a man in the head who was in a vehicle that, supposedly, would not have stopped at a police barrier, on Souza Dantas Street in the Engenho Novo neighborhood, North Zone. According to information from the PM, the car had four people and the driver would have performed “sudden maneuvers due to speed” when he saw the police barrier. He was hit in the head and taken to the hospital.
19/09/2022 – The Civil Police used a drone to identify and arrest a drug dealer in the port region of Rio. According to the Civil Police, officers closed the smoke house that operated a few meters from Largo da Prainha, in Saúde. Cocaine and marijuana were found with the dealer, as well as cash.
20/09/2022 – Two criminals were arrested for attempted robbery after holding an employee of an establishment hostage on Estrada dos Três Rios, in the Freguesia neighborhood, in Jacarepaguá, West Zone. With them, the police seized a stolen motorcycle without a license plate, a pistol, ammunition, in addition to products from the store.
20/09/2022 – A woman stole a customer’s purse at Barra Shopping, in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone. The theft was recorded by the store’s security cameras. In 18 seconds, she enters the store calmly, as if she were a regular customer, talking on the cell phone, bends down as if she were going to see a merchandise on a rack, takes the customer’s bag and leaves.
21/09/2022 – Two tourists were robbed and assaulted by two criminals on Copacabana beach, South Zone. The crime took place on the beach and the minors were arrested on Avenida Atlântica as they tried to escape. According to officers on the scene, the criminals stole the cell phone of one of the victims when they were going to see the sunrise. The cell phone was recovered.
22/09/2022 – The Military Police began an operation in communities in Campinho, North Zone, to contain fights between drug dealers and militiamen — which entered the fourth day. Officers went to the Morro do Fubá, Saçu and Caixa D’água around 6:30. Armored vehicles and a helicopter were mobilized. Residents reported intense shooting.
26/09/2022 – A joint operation by the Civil and Military Police in Complexo da Maré, aimed at containing an attempted invasion, ended in intense shooting. At least, three criminals were killed and two rifles were seized. Linha Vermelha, Linha Amarela and Avenida Brasil were closed.
