The White-Collar Crime Unit (WCCU) of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) has issued an urgent warning to the public about a surge in WhatsApp scams. Investigations reveal that overseas scammers are cloning WhatsApp accounts and sending fraudulent messages to the victim’s contacts, pretending to be the account owner and requesting financial assistance.
According to the WCCU, the scam messages often claim the sender is in distress, such as being stranded in the United States, and in urgent need of a money transfer. These messages are fabricated attempts to deceive individuals into sending funds or sharing sensitive financial information.
Examples of the fraudulent messages include:
“Please, I was wondering if you could help me out by sending $700 USD to someone? I’m trying to make a transfer from my bank, but it’s just not going through. I’ll make sure to pay you back tomorrow morning, I promise!”
“I was wondering if you can help me transfer $900 to someone, please? I’m trying to transfer from my bank, but it’s not going through. I will pay you back tomorrow morning.”
The RSCNPF is urging the public to remain vigilant and follow these precautions if they receive a suspicious message:
- Verify Requests – Contact the individual directly using a reliable method, such as a phone call, to confirm the authenticity of the request.
- Avoid Immediate Action – Refrain from sending money or sharing personal financial information based solely on a message.
- Do Not Share Verification Codes – Never click on or approve messages containing access verification codes that you did not personally request.
- Report Suspicious Activity – Notify the police immediately if you suspect you are being targeted by a scam.
According to the Police, these scams are calculated attempts to exploit trust within personal relationships. Scammers rely on impersonation and urgency to pressure victims into sending money.
The Police are advising people to exercise caution and vigilance when communicating online, particularly through mobile applications like WhatsApp. Verifying requests with the account owner directly is critical to avoiding financial loss.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted or affected by this scam is encouraged to contact the White-Collar Crime Unit at the RSCNPF to report the incident and seek assistance.
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