Press Releases

UPDATE (22 July):

The RCIPS is investigating reports of persons receiving Scam Google Meet video calls, where the caller purports to be a legitimate agency and during the course of the conversation, makes a request for the person’s online banking credentials and / or bank account information. 

Legitimate agencies will never contact persons via Google Meet video calls and requests their banking or other sensitive information.

Due to an increase in reports made to the police over the past week and the impact on the community, the RCIPS is releasing an image believed to be of the suspect.

The suspect is described as having fair complexion, dark hair, wearing a face covering believed to be a hospital mask, and claiming to be "Police" or "Immigration."

He is believed to be calling from overseas, but this image is circulated to prevent the public from engaging with this individual.

It is reported that the suspect initiates contact with victims through video calls and instructs them to turn on their cameras, confirm personal information, including bank account details, and click on a link provided by him.

Members of the public are reminded that the RCIPS and other government agencies will never request personal identification or bank account details during an unsolicited phone or video call. Any such calls should be ended immediately, and no information should be provided. If you have concerns about the legitimacy of a caller claiming to represent a government agency, contact the agency directly.

Detectives are also encouraging anyone who believes they have received a similar suspicious video call to report the matter to their bank and the nearest police station.

The matter remains under police investigation.

UPDATE (17 July):

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.