Cybercrime on the rise in Peru: key steps to report an internet scam

In Peru, the problem also shows sustained growth. According to the Specialized Cybercrime Prosecutor’s Office of the Public Ministry, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, 9,193 complaints about computer crimes were investigated in the country, which is equivalent to an average of close to 100 cases per day, many of them linked to digital fraud, online scams and identity theft.

For this reason, Víctor Gutiérrez, digital security specialist at Intecnia Corp, country Partner of Bitdefender, details that “when an online scam occurs, time is decisive. Acting quickly can help block fraudulent operations, protect personal information and facilitate the identification of those responsible”, which is why he recommends following the following steps in the event of any cybersecurity impact:

First step: notify the bank or financial institution: If the scam is related to payments, transfers or banking details, the first action should be to immediately report it to the financial institution. This allows you to activate protection measures such as blocking accounts or cards, as well as reviewing suspicious movements. In addition, entities can guide users on the steps to follow and help collect the necessary documentation to initiate a formal complaint.

File a complaint with the authorities: Once fraud is detected, it is essential to file a complaint with the corresponding authorities. Law enforcement can investigate cybercrimes such as phishing, telephone fraud, identity theft, or data theft.

The report can be made in person at a police station and, in many cases, it is necessary to provide evidence such as screenshots, emails, payment receipts or bank reports that prove the fraudulent operation.

Prevention: the best defense against fraud: The expert agrees that prevention continues to be the most effective strategy against online scams. Among the main recommendations are:

• Be wary of messages that generate urgency or request personal data.
• Do not share passwords, codes or banking information by phone, SMS or email.
• Avoid clicking on suspicious links and always access the platforms from official sites.
• Verify the authenticity of calls or emails before providing any information.