In an advisory to SKN’s populace, the White Collar Crime Unit (WCCU) of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) highlighted that several members of the public have been affected, using the social media platform, WhatsApp, to date.

Overseas scammers are cloning WhatsApp accounts and sending messages to the victim’s contacts, pretending to be the account owner. The fraudulent messages may claim, for example, that the individual is stranded in the United States and urgently needs financial assistance via money transfer.

The RSCNPF urges all residents to remain vigilant and exercise caution. The following are steps to take if you receive a message from a contact requesting money or for you to send to someone:

Contact the individual directly using a reliable method, such as a phone call, to confirm the authenticity of the request. Avoid sending funds or sharing personal financial information based solely on a message request.

Do not click on or approve any text messages, WhatsApp messages, or emails containing access verification codes that you did not personally request. If you suspect you are being targeted by a scam, report the incident to the police immediately. Public awareness and cooperation are vital in preventing such scams.