Panama is confronting an escalating crisis of digital fraud with approximately 16 formal complaints registered daily, according to an investigative report by La Prensa. The phenomenon has become particularly pervasive across three key regions: Panama, Panama Oeste, and Chiriquí provinces.
Behind these statistics lie countless narratives of financial deception—consumers purchasing goods that never materialize, transferring funds to nonexistent accounts, and encountering vanished promises after initial digital interactions. These incidents share a common element: the violation of trust in spaces previously perceived as secure for transactions.
Analysis of seven-year trend data reveals a disturbing pattern of consistent growth in fraudulent activities, with a particularly sharp acceleration following the COVID-19 pandemic. The most dramatic surge occurred in 2020, when reported cases jumped to 3,586 amid health restrictions and increased reliance on informal digital payment systems.
The situation intensified considerably in 2021, with complaints skyrocketing to 5,354—more than doubling the figures recorded just two years prior. This confirmed an aggressive expansion pattern primarily driven by e-commerce scams, fraudulent loan schemes, and deceptive promotional offers.
While 2022 witnessed a marginal increase to 5,514 cases, and 2023 saw a slight reduction to 5,068 complaints, the overall numbers remain alarmingly elevated compared to historical norms. The data indicates that despite minor fluctuations, digital fraud has established itself at persistently high levels within Panama’s commercial ecosystem.