Fraud, crime that involves frauds and deceptions with the intent to obtain illegal advantage, has become increasingly common in Brazil. According to data from the Brazilian Yearbook of Public Security, every 16 seconds, a fraud is committed in the country, revealing the gravity and speed with which criminals act. This type of crime affects thousands of Brazilians every year, leaving financial and emotional victims
The lawyer Rafael Caferati, of Jobim Advogados Office, alert that the increasing use of digital means and the sophistication of fraud techniques make fraud a constant threat, reaching both individuals and legal entities. According to Caferati"it manifests itself in various ways", like bank frauds, virtual blows, forgery of documents, and false promises of business or investments, victims often do not realize they are being deceived until the damage is already realhighlights the lawyer.
With the popularization of the internet and the digitization of financial services, scammers have been exploiting online platforms to carry out scams. "The lack of knowledge about prevention methods has been one of the main factors fueling this type of crime", highlights Caferati
Fraud can have devastating effects on the victims, both from a financial and psychological perspective. In addition to significant economic losses, many people feel unprotected and insecure after being deceived, what affects your emotional well-being
Given the frequency and variety of scams in circulation, the population needs to be alert and informed to avoid falling for frauds. Lawyer Rafael Caferati recommends some essential preventive actions to protect oneself from fraud
Check the credibility of offersbe wary of offers that seem too good to be true. Scammers often use promises of quick gains or extraordinary benefits to attract victims
Be wary of requests for personal informationnever provide confidential data, such as bank account numbers or passwords, by phone or email, especially if the contact is unexpected
Use secure platformswhen shopping online or conducting banking transactions, make sure that the website or platform is trustworthy and has appropriate security measures
Be careful with links and attachmentsnever click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown senders. These are common methods to spread viruses and steal personal information
If a person becomes a victim of fraud, it is essential to act quickly to minimize the damage. The lawyer advises that, "upon realizing that he fell for a scam", the victim must report the fraud to the police authorities, if the fraud involves bank transactions or online purchases, it is important to inform the bank or the platform immediately, who can take measures to block transactions or reverse the amounts, furthermore, consulting a lawyer can be essential to understand the victim's rights and assess the possibility of seeking compensation, explain
In times of increasing digitalization, raising awareness about the risks of fraud should be a priority for everyone. Prevention depends on a collective effort, where knowledge and caution can make the difference between safety and loss
