The RCIPS has noted an increase in reports of the suspected phishing scam involving suspects making video calls and claiming to be law enforcement.
It is reported that the suspects have now changed their tactics and are claiming that the victims' debit cards have been tampered with. Victims are then instructed to click a suspicious link and follow instructions provided by the caller.
Since the initial report on Monday, 13 July, a quantity of cash has been reported stolen from the bank account of one victim after the victim clicked a suspicious link provided by the suspect. Police have received other reports where potential victims recognised the scam, immediately ended the call and contacted their financial institutions.
The suspect(s) are described as wearing a face covering, believed to be a hospital mask, and claiming to be "Police" or "Immigration" during the video call.
Police are appealing to anyone who has received a similar suspicious video call to report the matter to the nearest police station.
Members of the public are reminded to take the following precautions:
Never share personal, banking or identification information during an unsolicited phone or video call.
Never click on links provided by unknown callers.
If you do not recognise the phone number, do not answer the video call and block the number.
Regularly check your bank statements for any unauthorised transactions
If you identify any unauthorised transactions, contact your bank immediately and report the matter to the nearest police station.
Additionally, when conducting your personal financial transactions, it is advised not use public WI-FI to do so, as your personal information, including banking and card details, can be potentially be accessed by other persons while using unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
The matter remains under police investigation.
Initial Release (14 July):
On Monday, 13 July, police responded to a report of a suspected phishing scam involving individuals claiming to be law enforcement.
It is reported that the victim received a video call from an individual claiming to be “Police, Immigration,” who instructed the victim to display their passport and provide banking information.
The call was discontinued before any banking information was provided, and the matter was subsequently reported to the police.
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control (CBC), and Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman (WORC), are advising that they will never request passport or banking information via unsolicited phone or video call. Any such calls received should be disregarded, and no information provided. If you have any concerns, you should contact the relevant agency directly.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have received a similar suspicious call, or who believes they may have been targeted by this scam, to contact the nearest police station.
Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via our Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777, or via our website.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the Cayman Crime Stoppers website or by downloading the Cayman Crime Stoppers app.
The matter remains under police investigation.