The Barbados Police Service is warning Barbadians not to fall prey to a Whatsapp video call scam by individuals impersonating officers.
“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. During these calls, they falsely claim that a scammer has hacked your bank account using privacy software and that they are attempting to recover the stolen funds,” police said in a media release.
As part of the scam, victims are asked to show or provide images of their identification, bank cards and other documents for verification purposes, the release added.
“The Barbados Police Service wishes to advise the public that these individuals are not police officers. 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.”
Members of the public are strongly urged not to engage with these individuals, not to provide any personal or financial information, and to immediately terminate any such communication.
Police say a thorough investigation will be conducted. (PR/SAT)
