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(CNS): The RCIPS continues to receive multiple reports of scammers calling local banking customers claiming to be from a variety of organizations, including banks, credit card and money transfer companies, and most recently, the RCIPS. The Financial Crimes Unit has seen an increasing number of reports of foreign actors appearing to be focusing their efforts on targeting the Cayman Islands. The unit is warning that local banking customers must remain vigilant and not fall victim.
Police said: “Be aware of the various tactics that scammers may use. If any organisation contacts you by email or phone and asks for your personal information, ask further or tell the caller that you will check directly with the organisation before proceeding.”
Police say some scammers claim to be conducting a financial or fraud investigation. Their goal is to get people to click on links that give them access to customers’ computers.
The RCIPS warns that some scammers are claiming to be from the RCIPS and that they are investigating a customer’s “prior transactions.” They will then provide a link where they claim the victim can view the details of the report. However, the link is fraudulent.
Police said: “In recent reports of contact via telephone, the calls appear to be made from local Cayman Islands phone numbers. However, it is likely that the calls are coming from overseas, with local phone numbers being spoofed. The caller will claim to be from the ‘anti-fraud department’, usually from a local bank, and send a phishing link for the victim to click on, or ask the victim to make some kind of transaction. The victim described the caller as an Indian male.”
The public is advised to be wary of these emails and avoid clicking on all links in unsolicited emails. The official RCIPS domain is “rcips.ky,” not “rcips.com.” If an email is sent from the latter domain, it is likely fraudulent.
Another scam that is popular in the local area is to post fraudulent classified ads for vehicles for sale on local platforms. When potential victims contact the sellers listed in these ads, they are told that they need to pay a deposit for the vehicle. Once they do this, the scammers stop all contact with the victim, and the victim never gets the car. After contact, the ad is immediately deleted.
The ads were posted under the names of Simplicity Leasing or Simplicity Lease-To-Own. These incidents are under investigation and suspects are being sought. The platform’s management is working closely with the authorities to investigate and prevent further incidents of this nature, and the offending accounts have been banned from the site.
Police are also investigating an incident where a victim successfully purchased a vehicle from a seller. However, the seller concealed the fact that there was a lien on the vehicle and the vehicle was subsequently repossessed from the victim.
The public is advised to be cautious of all fraudulent advertisements. For vehicle purchases, it is best to view the vehicle before making any payment. If the seller refuses to allow you to do so, proceed with caution.
If you have questions about any correspondence claiming to be from the RCIPS, please contact the RCIPS Financial Crime Investigation Unit RCIPS.FCU@rcips.ky.
Anyone who has clicked on a fraudulent link is advised to have their PC fully assessed using reputable antivirus software or have it analyzed by a computer technician. If you believe your account has been compromised, contact your bank immediately.
Anyone who thinks they may have been the victim of this or other scams is asked to contact police: 949-4222, Your local police department, or the RCIPS Financial Crime Investigation Unit RCIPS.FCU@rcips.ky.
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