Argentina's BCRA tightens transfer controls

The Central Bank of the Argentine Republic said it has added public information so instant transfer administrators can strengthen their analysis and monitoring tools. It also reported meetings with financial institutions, the Financial Intelligence Unit and other agencies to address supervision, the quality of Suspicious Transaction Reports, emerging threats and the prevention of illicit financial flows. Separately, Catamarca police warned about possible online scams tied to Cyber Monday and the banking holiday.

What changed in instant transfers?

The BCRA made public information available to help administrators strengthen the analysis and monitoring of instant transfers. According to the bank, the goal is to build fraud risk profiles that financial institutions and payment service providers can use in transaction monitoring, customer onboarding and periodic know-your-customer reviews.

In its September 2026 Retail Payments Report, the central bank said those risk profiles are meant to complement existing models. It also said the measure is intended to help detect possible fraudulent behavior early and strengthen the security and trust of electronic transfers.

What did the central bank say about anti-money laundering?

The agency said that during 2026 it held meetings with financial institutions to discuss supervision and the quality of Suspicious Transaction Reports. It also held working groups with the FIU and interagency meetings to review emerging threats and strengthen preventive capabilities against illicit financial flows.

Methodo Crítico published a similar account, attributing it to the BCRA, although it did not add figures or operational changes beyond what the agency itself had already confirmed. In that coverage, the outlet said the work was carried out with banks, the FIU and other agencies during 2026.

What warning did Catamarca police issue?

The Cybercrime Division of the Catamarca Police warned about possible scams through messages, links and phone calls that ask for personal data, passwords, banking credentials, security codes or tokens. The warning came in the context of Cyber Monday and a five-day period without in-person service at bank branches.

Diario Inforama said the alert focuses on phishing and bank impersonation tactics. Uno Santa Fe, in a holiday banking recommendations piece, also shared advice for calls or messages that demand urgent transfers to avoid account blocks or to access benefits, although it did not document a successful case or identify any victims.