Tyrone Collins

Founder & Principal Security Advisor

NordBridge Security Advisors – Chicago Based

Chicago | Brazil | Americas

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  • How AI Is Changing Shoplifting and Retail Fraud in the U.S.

    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 Security blog, I break down how these schemes work at a high level, why retailers are struggling to keep up, and what needs to change to protect margins without sacrificing customer trust.

    If you’re responsible for retail operations, security, or loss prevention, this is a shift you need to understand.

    Full article available at:
    👉 https://NordBridgeSecurity.com/insights

  • ATM “Express Kidnapping”: What Locals and Tourists Need to Understand

    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, and instant payment systems all become tools of coercion.

    In today’s NordBridge Security blog, I break down how express kidnappings work, who is most at risk, why ATMs and PIX are central to these crimes, and what practical steps can reduce exposure.

    This is critical knowledge for anyone living in or traveling through high-risk urban environments.

    Read the full analysis:
    👉 https://NordBridgeSecurity.com/insights

  • Airport Security Risks Every U.S. Traveler Should Understand

    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 blog, I break down the most common airport and travel security risks in the United States and explain what travelers can do to stay aware and reduce exposure.

    If you travel for work or leisure, this is information worth knowing.

    Full article available at:
    👉 https://NordBridgeSecurity.com/insights

  • Hotel and Airbnb Security Risks Every Tourist Should Understand

    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 apps make foreign visitors particularly vulnerable.

    In today’s NordBridge Security blog, I break down how these risks work in practice—and what travelers can do to protect themselves before, during, and after their stay.

    If you travel internationally, this is information worth knowing.

    Full article available at:
    👉 https://NordBridgeSecurity.com/insights

  • What Parents Should Know About School Safety in 2026

    School safety has changed. In 2026, many of the most serious risks facing students don’t start in hallways or classrooms—they start online.

    Cyberbullying, social media threats, and misinformation now play a direct role in physical safety incidents. Add rising mental health pressures and inconsistent emergency preparedness, and the result is a school environment that requires far more than traditional security measures.

    In today’s NordBridge Security blog, I break down the modern school safety landscape, the warning signs parents should recognize, and the emergency protocols every school should have in place.

    If you’re a parent, this is information worth understanding—before a crisis forces the conversation.

    Full article available at:
    👉 https://NordBridgeSecurity.com/insights

  • “Golpe do Amor”: Why Romance Scams in Brazil Are Becoming More Dangerous

    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 in Brazil—but it also creates an environment where trust forms quickly and verification drops off.

    Criminal groups understand this dynamic well. They leverage emotional connection, cultural familiarity, and digital dependence to place victims at risk long before they ever meet in person.

    In a new NordBridge Security analysis, we break down how “Golpe do Amor” actually works, how both locals and tourists are targeted, and what warning signs should never be ignored.

    Read the full analysis:
    👉 https://NordBridgeSecurity.com/insights

  • Why Parking Garages and Elevators Are More Dangerous Than Most People Realize

    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 forced proximity. Together, they create an environment that criminals understand far better than most occupants do.

    There’s also a common misconception that garages are fully monitored by cameras. In practice, coverage is often limited to entrances and exits, leaving large blind zones where criminals operate with confidence.

    In today’s NordBridge Security analysis, I break down how these attacks occur, what vulnerabilities exist inside garages and elevators, and what practical steps individuals can take to stay safer.

    Read the full article:
    👉 https://NordBridgeSecurity.com/insights
    More security commentary at tyronecollins.com

  • Cyber Extortion Is Targeting Small Businesses—And Many Don’t See It Coming

    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 more on urgency, trust, and operational pressure—conditions that exist in nearly every small business.

    At NordBridge Security, we recently published a detailed breakdown explaining why SMBs are now the preferred targets for cyber extortion, how these schemes unfold in the real world, and what business owners can do right now to reduce risk without enterprise-level budgets.

    If you operate or advise a small business, this is a topic you can’t afford to ignore.

    Full analysis available at:
    👉 https://NordBridgeSecurity.com/insights

  • What Most People Don’t Realize About Nightlife Crime in Brazil

    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 post-bar robberies are not rare occurrences. They are recurring scenarios that follow the same behavioral and environmental indicators.

    At NordBridge Security, we recently published a deep dive into how these crimes unfold, who is most at risk, and how both locals and tourists can dramatically improve their personal safety with simple behavioral changes.

    If you travel to Brazil—or live there—this is information you should not ignore.

    Full article available at:
    👉 NordBridgeSecurity.com/insights

  • Taxi Scams in Brazil: What Tourists Need To Know Before They Arrive

    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 catch thousands of first-timers off guard every year.

    I know the feeling. On my first trip to Rio, I fell right into the shoe-shine scam along Copacabana — a setup designed to pressure tourists into paying far more than they should. It was a small loss, but it taught me a big lesson about how opportunists identify and exploit tourists within seconds.

    That experience inspired today’s full blog, where I break down the most common taxi scams in Brazil, the specific tactics scammers use, and the practical steps every visitor can take to avoid becoming a target.

    If you’re planning a trip to Brazil — or advising someone who is — this is essential reading.

    Read the full article:
    👉 https://NordBridgeSecurity.com/insights
    More insights: https://TyroneCollins.com