Barbados Police warns public about WhatsApp impersonation scam

Fraudsters are posing as Barbados police officers on WhatsApp to steal personal and banking details. TBPS urges the public to hang up immediately.

Scammers impersonate officers in WhatsApp video call fraud

The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) has issued an urgent public warning after reports of individuals impersonating police officers in order to extract personal identification and banking information from members of the public, barbadostoday.bb reports.

According to the TBPS, the fraudsters contact victims through WhatsApp video calls. "These individuals reportedly speak with a foreign accent and use profile pictures and backgrounds bearing the words 'Barbados Police Force' on a crest or imagery designed to resemble the official Barbados Police Service crest," the TBPS stated in a release.

During these calls, the scammers falsely claim that a criminal has hacked the victim's bank account using privacy software and that they are working to recover the stolen funds. Targets are then asked to display or submit images of their identification cards, bank cards, and other personal documents for supposed verification purposes.

The TBPS was unequivocal in its response. "At no time will The Barbados Police Service request that members of the public display, submit, or verify personal identification documents, bank cards, banking information, passwords, PINs, or other sensitive personal information through WhatsApp, video calls, social media platforms, or any other online means," the service stated.

Authorities are urging Barbadians not to engage with anyone making such requests and to end the communication immediately. "Members of the public are strongly urged not to provide any personal or financial information, and to immediately terminate any such communication," the TBPS added.

The service confirmed that a full investigation into the matter is underway.

Source: Google News BB — Crime