Antofagasta logs 816 digital fraud complaints

The PDI recorded 816 complaints between January and October 2026 in Antofagasta for incidents tied to digital fraud, up from 695 in the same period last year. Soy Chile said internet scams led the cases, while 24 Horas reported that the region has now surpassed 800 complaints this year for scams and other fraud offenses.

What tactics are being seen in Antofagasta?

The PDI warned about fraud spreading through large WhatsApp groups using suspicious links, numeric codes, and malicious QR codes. 24 Horas added that the most common schemes in the region involve personal data theft and deception through digital platforms.

BioBioChile also reported on a tactic built around a fake app that imitates bank accounts and generates transfer receipts that look real, even though the money never reaches the recipient. In that case, the PDI recommended filing a complaint and calling 134 if the crime is in progress.

What other financial background appears in the coverage?

ITSitio reported that the amounts involved in complaints over fraud using digital payment methods, based only on banks, reached US$98 million in the first half of 2026. The figure was attributed by that outlet to an informally identified report, so the data was not fully confirmed in the story.

At the same time, Enfoque Digital reported that the PDI broke up a group dedicated to scams in used car sales through digital platforms. According to that publication, the investigation identified 13 incidents between March 2025 and February 2026, with losses above $120 million.

The case added to a recent set of reports showing how much digital fraud weighs on the region and on operations linked to payment methods and online sales.