5 top scams in Costa Rica
http://www.ticotimes.net/2013/09/23/5-top-scams-in-costa-rica
1. Fake driver’s license
Driving in Costa Rica can be a bit of a contact sport and part of the reason is the number of drivers on the road who bribe their way into a driver’s license. According to the OIJ, some of these less-than-stellar drivers are getting scammed as they try to scam the system.
In this situation, someone leaves the Roadway Safety Council (COSEVI), which grants driver’s licenses, after failing a driver’s test. Scam artists approach the would-be driver as he leaves the office and offer to help him get his license for a price.
The fraudster claims to know people who work at COSEVI who can fudge the report and get the mark a license that same day. First, the scam artists take the mark’s money and then say that their contact at COSEVI needs a photo. Then they say that any photo will do and ask the person to use their camera phone to take the shot. Finally, they tell the unsuspecting driver that they need to take his phone inside COSEVI so their friend can download the photo, but they never return. By the end, the victim has lost the money he paid the scam artists and his phone.
OIJ advises people to avoid these offers, adding that even if the scam were real the buyer would be committing a crime by using a false document besides becoming the victim of a scam.
http://www.ticotimes.net/2013/09/23/5-top-scams-in-costa-rica
1. Fake driver’s license
Driving in Costa Rica can be a bit of a contact sport and part of the reason is the number of drivers on the road who bribe their way into a driver’s license. According to the OIJ, some of these less-than-stellar drivers are getting scammed as they try to scam the system.
In this situation, someone leaves the Roadway Safety Council (COSEVI), which grants driver’s licenses, after failing a driver’s test. Scam artists approach the would-be driver as he leaves the office and offer to help him get his license for a price.
The fraudster claims to know people who work at COSEVI who can fudge the report and get the mark a license that same day. First, the scam artists take the mark’s money and then say that their contact at COSEVI needs a photo. Then they say that any photo will do and ask the person to use their camera phone to take the shot. Finally, they tell the unsuspecting driver that they need to take his phone inside COSEVI so their friend can download the photo, but they never return. By the end, the victim has lost the money he paid the scam artists and his phone.
OIJ advises people to avoid these offers, adding that even if the scam were real the buyer would be committing a crime by using a false document besides becoming the victim of a scam.
Why would anyone take a picture with their cellphone & then hand their cell over to a stranger along with their money.......I can see people getting scammed the money but no one is walking anywhere with my cellphone. Very weak ploy IMO.........
