Merchants foil attempted scam with false Yape and arrest those responsible
The couple involved was arrested after trying to deceive an elderly merchant in Los Olivos, Lima
A scam attempt using the "false Yape" method was foiled by merchants and neighbors of the Angélica Gamarra market, in the Los Olivos district. A couple tried to deceive an elderly merchant, Mrs. Otilia, simulating a transaction through the popular payment application. The incident culminated in the arrest of those responsible.
The incident occurred on Géminis Street, when a woman approached Otilia's business to make a purchase and claimed to have paid through Yape. Upon checking her account, the merchant, along with her daughter, discovered that the money never arrived. Immediately, a heated argument broke out, quickly escalating into physical aggression. The scammer hit Mrs. Otilia on the head, causing outrage among those present.
Alerted by the situation, neighbors and other merchants in the area intervened and prevented the couple from fleeing in their vehicle. Those involved were held until the arrival of the Serenazgo, who transferred them to the Sol de Oro police station, where they face charges of fraud and assault.
This type of scam, based on the simulation of payments through mobile applications such as Yape, has increased in the area, generating concern among merchants. The "false Yape" method consists of showing a successful transaction on screen, although the money never reaches the victim's account.
The National Police of Peru is investigating the case and has launched an operation to identify other possible members of the criminal network behind this type of fraud.
The rise of "false Yape"
Yape, an application developed by the Banco de Crédito del Perú (BCP), has become one of the most popular payment methods in the country. However, its popularity has also made it a target for cybercriminals. The "fake Yape" imitates the real payment process, showing fake transaction receipts and generating fake confirmation messages.
This fraudulent software has evolved over time, integrating features such as QR code scanning, auto-filling recipient data and sending SMS messages that simulate official confirmations. The price of this software has risen from 10 to 20 soles to 200 soles due to the growing demand among criminals.
The "fake Yape" scam has crossed borders and has been reported in countries such as Bolivia, Chile and Colombia. Given this scenario, experts recommend that merchants double-check transactions and be cautious when trusting receipts shown on other people's devices.
Security recommendations
Specialists urge merchants to adopt security measures such as patience when confirming payments and the use of anti-social engineering techniques to protect themselves from scams. These strategies, which combine psychological tactics with social skills, are used by cybercriminals to obtain sensitive information.
A cybersecurity expert recommended: "The only valid proof is the one that appears in your system. If it is not reflected, it is a scam." In addition, he suggested improving payment control at the terminals themselves to avoid falling into these traps.