Tyrone Collins
Founder & Principal Security Advisor
NordBridge Security Advisors – Chicago Based
Chicago | Brazil | Americas
Category: Uncategorized
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Self-checkouts, digital receipts, and automated returns were designed for speed and convenience—but they’ve also created new vulnerabilities that criminals are now exploiting with AI-assisted tools. From barcode manipulation to synthetic identities and coordinated return fraud, retail crime in the U.S. has become more sophisticated, scalable, and difficult to detect using traditional methods. In today’s NordBridge…
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ATM-related “express kidnappings,” known in Brazil as Sequestro Relâmpago, are among the most psychologically coercive crimes civilians can encounter. These incidents are short, fast-moving, and designed to force victims to withdraw cash or make instant digital transfers under threat. What makes this crime particularly dangerous is how it blends physical intimidation with digital access—ATMs, smartphones,…
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Airports feel secure—but many of the most common crimes targeting travelers happen before screening, after landing, or during the transition out of the terminal. From pickpocketing and luggage theft to public Wi-Fi attacks, shoulder surfing, and fake taxi scams, criminals exploit moments when travelers are distracted, tired, or in a rush. In today’s NordBridge Security…
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Most travelers assume risk decreases once they check into a hotel or Airbnb. Unfortunately, many scams and thefts targeting tourists happen inside their accommodations. From fake hosts and hijacked listings to copied keys and WhatsApp fraud, criminals are exploiting how travelers book, communicate, and trust while abroad. Short stays, language barriers, and reliance on mobile…
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Romance scams in Brazil are no longer limited to fake profiles and online lies. Increasingly, they are connected to real-world crime—robberies, financial coercion, and even express kidnappings. Many foreign visitors, particularly Americans, begin conversations on dating apps before traveling to Brazil and then move those conversations to WhatsApp. That transition feels natural—WhatsApp is used everywhere…
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Most people think of parking garages and elevators as neutral spaces—just part of getting from point A to point B. In reality, these transitional environments are some of the most common locations for ambushes, robberies, and assaults in U.S. cities. Garages combine poor lighting, blind corners, minimal supervision, and predictable behavior. Elevators add confinement and…
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Many small business owners still believe cyber extortion only happens to large corporations. That belief is exactly what makes small businesses such attractive targets. Today’s attackers are using ransomware, business email compromise, and fake invBusiness Continuityoice fraud to extract money without ever stepping foot inside an office. These attacks rely less on technical sophistication and…
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Many travelers believe nightlife crime in Brazil is opportunistic or random. In reality, it’s often organized, deliberate, and highly effective. After spending time in Rio and closely analyzing incident patterns, one reality becomes clear: bars, clubs, and nightlife districts create ideal conditions for criminals—especially when alcohol, smartphones, and unfamiliar surroundings intersect. Drugging, financial coercion, and…
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Brazil is an unforgettable destination, but tourists often walk straight into scams they didn’t even know existed. From inflated taxi fares to fake drivers waiting at airport exits, countless visitors lose money within minutes of landing. And the fraud doesn’t stop there — street-level scams like the infamous shoe-shine trick or unsolicited “help” from strangers…
Tyrone Collins 