In Colombia it pays to be cautious and suspicious of schemes that feel “too convenient” - even when someone is “helping” and being friendly. Street safety basics: no dar papaya. Dating: online dating.
Golden rules
- Don’t transfer money to strangers for “friendly” ruble↔peso / USDT exchange “with a bonus.”
- Don’t drive out of town alone for a prize, a shipment or “cheap goods.”
- Don’t install software “to verify a wallet” from a counterparty - see also Cryptocurrency.
- Jobs / shift work / “delivery to Panama” from unknown contacts - red flag.
Common scams
- “Send money - someone is sick / I need help, I’ll pay you in rubles” - the person is “not in Colombia” but in Russia. Outcome: you lose money.
- Buying goods in Colombia: “I’ll send rubles, you transfer pesos.” The person isn’t in Russia; “others will hand over the goods” after you send half. Outcome: you lose money.
- “Need to settle a debt in Colombia” - they offer rubles, you send pesos, the counterparty isn’t in Russia. Outcome: you lose money.
- USDT to peso/dollar exchange with a big markup - they ask you to “verify the wallet” via third-party software. Outcome: you can lose your USDT.
- “I’ll receive a parcel for a fee” without an agreement and a face-to-face meet. Outcome: you lose money and the parcel. Logistics: Postal.
- “You won a prize” - pickup far outside the city. Risk of kidnapping and ransom.
- Cash payment for services outside the city. Kidnapping risk.
- On Mercado Libre and similar - payment via unofficial transfers “delivery after.” Outcome: you lose money.
- Buying something “too cheap” outside town / in a risky area. Risk: stolen goods or criminals.
- Recruiting staff for trading - a scam platform after you deposit money.
- Remote work in Colombia with no contract or payment guarantees.
- Salon recruiters for women, even on a “personal invite.” Risk of exploitation.
- Shift work in Ecuador/Colombia for an unknown company. Risk of forced labor / illegal zones.
- Cargo delivery to Panama and elsewhere. Often drugs disguised as freight; penalties are harsh regardless of citizenship.
- Sale of non-existent services, tickets, reselling scams.
Data you must not share
- Phone number - with random people and shady services (debt binding, spam).
- Address - thieves and robbers.
- Email - better a separate inbox “for Colombia.”
- Passport / ID - with strangers (loans, forgeries). Official procedures only on gov sites.
- Card details - use Apple Pay / Google Pay when you can.
People to avoid
There are known cases of fraud or non-refunds involving Andrei Ermakov (nickname Mnogoturov): he doesn’t return money or delivers something other than promised. Often demands prepayment. Be careful.