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By Eulana Weekes
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS (WINN): The Bermuda Police Service says the Financial Crimes Unit has investigated 18 cases of fraud targeting Bermudian seniors in the past year.
According to the Bermuda Police Service, online scammers have taken about $1.5 million from seniors since January 2023; in one case, scammers took $250,000 from an elderly person. So far, police have arrested five people, two of whom have been convicted.
“These unscrupulous individuals take advantage of the vulnerability of elderly people and trick them into providing personal information and bank details,” police said.
Bermudians described the situation as “elder abuse” and encouraged them to remain vigilant and help protect seniors from such incidents.
Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith of the Specialist Investigations Unit said older people should be reminded not to provide personal information to anyone without first checking that it is a reputable organisation with which they have a genuine interest.
More disturbing, however, is that family members have been raiding the finances of elderly relatives, causing seniors to make transactions against their will.
Smith urged family members to report to police if they see other relatives who may be pressuring older people to give money to others, or trying to trick older people into signing a will or contract.
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