Scams

The Costa Rican Banking Association (ABC) this week launched a security operation coordinated with Judicial Investigation Police agents and National Police officers, with the goal of reducing theft and fraud that usually spike beginning on Black Friday weekend. The start of Costa Rica's Christmas bonus payments, or aguinaldos, also brings an increase in crime each year.

A dual citizen of the United States and Costa Rica pleaded guilty Monday to a $1.88 million sweepstakes fraud scheme that targeted elderly U.S. residents, according a statement from the U.S. Justice Department.

Arnoldo Alpízar, a communications official with the Red Cross, confirmed to TV's Channel 7 that the Italian man died at approximately 7:30 a.m. at his home in Escazú, southwest of San José, where the Red Cross arrived following an emergency call.

It doesn't matter how many times you have been to Costa Rica, how long you have lived here or how good your Spanish is; chances are you've been overcharged by a taxi more than once. But now, Taxiando, a new phone app, let's you have your own personal taxi meter on your phone.

Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) raided three homes and an office in Escazú Tuesday morning as part of an investigation into a million-dollar fraud and money laundering scheme that targeted people living in the United States.

The Economy Ministry warned Friday of a telephone scam where an allegedly fraudulent travel agency is offering Costa Ricans a discounted trip to Florida.