Brazilian Consulates Warn of Phone Scams Targeting Immigrants in the U.S.

Brazilian consulates in Orlando, New York, and San Francisco have issued an urgent warning to the Brazilian community in the United States: scammers are impersonating consular staff in fraudulent phone calls aimed at stealing personal information.

The alert comes after multiple reports from Brazilian nationals who received suspicious calls demanding sensitive data, documents, and even payments. In some cases, the callers used threatening language and created a false sense of urgency to pressure victims.

“These scams are increasingly sophisticated,” said cybersecurity expert Dr. Helena Costa, who specializes in digital fraud targeting immigrant communities. “By mimicking official institutions, criminals exploit trust and fear to manipulate their targets.”

In official statements posted to social media, the consulates emphasized that they do not make unsolicited calls requesting personal information, urgent action, or financial transactions. Any such contact should be treated as a scam.

“If you receive a suspicious call, do not share any personal details,” the consulates advised. “Instead, reach out directly through the official channels listed on the Itamaraty website or the consulate’s verified email addresses.”

The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) also reminded citizens that legitimate communications always come from official government domains and never involve threats or immediate demands over the phone.

According to Dr. Costa, immigrants are particularly vulnerable to these tactics:

“Many are unfamiliar with local systems or fear jeopardizing their immigration status. That makes them prime targets for fraudsters posing as government officials.”

Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. The consulates continue to monitor the situation and are working to raise awareness across Brazilian communities in the U.S.