Costa Rica’s Cybercrime Prosecutor’s Office has issued an urgent warning about a new type of fraud targeting users of the National Electronic Payments System (Sinpe) mobile app.

According to investigators, scammers are exploiting Sinpe’s money transfer feature, known as “Pase,” which allows users to move funds directly from their bank accounts to third parties.

The scheme begins when a customer changes or cancels their phone number but fails to notify their bank to disconnect that number from their accounts.

Criminals have discovered that once mobile numbers are reassigned by phone companies, they may still be linked to the former owner’s bank accounts.

By reactivating those recycled numbers in the Sinpe app, fraudsters can access the accounts and use the “Pase” command to drain funds.

Authorities say several cases have already resulted in significant financial losses.

Officials recommend that customers:

• Keep track of all cell phone numbers ever connected to their bank accounts.

• Ask banks to unlink any cell phone numbers that are no longer in use.

• Check account statements frequently for suspicious transactions.

• Report unauthorized transfers immediately to the bank and, if confirmed, file a fraud complaint with the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ).

The Public Ministry emphasized that while prosecutors and investigators continue to combat cybercrime, prevention ultimately starts with account holders taking steps to secure their information.

As Costa Rica’s criminal investigative agency under the Supreme Court of Justice, the OIJ holds nationwide police authority and conducts criminal investigations throughout the country.

In related news, recently, the Ministry of Finance upgraded its online invoicing platform, known as ATV, to improve monitoring of transactions made through Sinpe.

A.M. Costa Rica encourages readers to share this scam alert to help prevent further fraud.