Criminal complaints tied to financial scams Panama authorities tracked rose 14 percent in the first eight months of 2026, according to preliminary data from the Public Ministry. The agency recorded 4,547 fraud-reports between January and August, up from 3,987 during the same stretch in 2025.
The figures reflect cases brought to prosecutors, not convictions. Common fraud drove most of the increase, while computer program manipulation posted the steepest relative jump among all categories tracked.
Common Fraud Dominates Reported Cases
Simple fraud accounted for 4,196 complaints, or more than nine of every ten records in the broader category. That figure climbed by 384 cases compared to the prior year, when authorities logged 3,812 reports. The sheer volume of common fraud explains much of the national uptick.
Aggravated fraud moved in the opposite direction, falling from 107 to 94 cases. Fraud involving public services dipped from eight to seven, and improper insurance collection dropped from five cases to zero. These declines were small in absolute terms and did little to offset growth elsewhere.
Computer Manipulation Cases Jump 338%
Reports involving modification or manipulation of computer programs surged from 52 in early 2025 to 228 in the same window of 2026. That represents 176 additional cases and a 338 percent increase, the largest relative rise of any fraud category.
Prosecutors cautioned that the classification alone does not reveal how each incident unfolded. The 228 computer-records cannot be attributed, without further investigation, to phishing messages, identity theft, or any specific platform. The data identifies a penal category, not a particular fraud method.
Panama Province Leads 2026 Complaints With 57 Percent Share
| Province | 2026 Cases | Share of National Total | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 2,607 | 57% | +319 |
| Panama Oeste | 615 | 13% | +153 |
| Chiriquí | 405 | 9% | — |
| San Miguelito | 244 | 5% | — |
| Coclé | 134 | 3% | -6 |
| Herrera | 100 | 2% | -12 |
| Veraguas | 99 | 2% | -17 |
| Bocas del Toro | 45 | 1% | 0 |
Monthly peak: March recorded the highest single-month total with 615 complaints, followed by August at 577. January and July each logged 575, while February had the lowest figure at 523.
Note: One month’s data cannot establish a future trend on its own, officials cautioned.
Source: Expat Times analysis of 2026 provincial complaint data
Geographic Distribution and Monthly Patterns
Panama province concentrated 2,607 cases, roughly 57 percent of the national total. Panama Oeste followed with 615, while Chiriquí recorded 405. San Miguelito, reported separately, logged 244. Panama province added 319 cases year over year, and Panama Oeste grew by 153.
Not every region saw increases. Veraguas dropped from 116 to 99 reports, Herrera fell from 112 to 100, and Coclé declined from 140 to 134. Bocas del Toro held steady at 45. The uneven distribution shows the national rise did not spread uniformly across provinces.
By month, March posted the highest single-month total with 615 complaints. August followed at 577, while January and July each recorded 575. February had the lowest figure at 523. Officials said one month’s data cannot establish a future trend on its own.
Consumer Fraud Exposure Remains Elevated
Separate research published in September 2026 by Experian found that 68 percent of surveyed consumers reported receiving at least one fraud attempt in the past year. The same study indicated 64 percent said they had not received training or information on how to avoid scams.
The Public Ministry figures are preliminary and reflect only matters brought to the institution’s attention. Final annual totals could shift as additional complaints are filed or reclassified.