SOURCE: ANTIGUA OBSERVER- The police are reportedly investigating an alarming number of reports of financial fraud that have affected residents across several communities in recent months.
Sources say that multiple victims have come forward to report unauthorized transactions on their bank accounts, with losses amounting to nearly EC $90,000.
According to reports, one Cedar Valley resident contacted the Criminal Investigations Department after discovering unauthorized purchases made with his bank card. The incident is believed to have occurred over a two-week period in early August.
In a separate case, sources indicate that a Willoughby Bay resident reported the unauthorized transfer of funds from his account to an unknown account. This incident is said to have taken place sometime between April and May of this year.
Sources say that another victim from the Kentish Road area discovered that approximately $30,000 had been withdrawn from their online banking account without authorization. This theft allegedly occurred over a two-day period in early August.
Additionally, investigators are looking into a case involving fraudulent cheques totalling close to $60,000 that were reportedly withdrawn from a business account. Sources say this incident also took place during the first week of August.
Authorities are reminding residents to monitor their bank accounts regularly and to report any suspicious activity immediately to the Criminal Investigations Department.
The Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) recently advised the public to increase their awareness due to incidents involving criminals who gain access to bank accounts through fraudulent online banking after obtaining personal information from victims.
The ONDCP said criminals are using two main tactics to steal information — through fake text messages called “smishing attacks” and phishing attacks through emails or phone calls.
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While these type of crimes will not kill you instantly like been robbed with guns, knives, machetes and the likes they impact the victims severely as well. Fraud convictions should carry a minimum to a maximum prison sentence. You are been robbed with a computer or pen & paper.
Antigua was once just a little dot on the world map that only few people knew about, now we have develop into one of top name Caribbean country on this same world map with an influx of different nationalities migrating here every day, so along with the gun and knife crimes of which you speak, we also now have an increase in drugs and gangs recruitment, so eventually we knew this financial fraud crime was on it’s way.
The question is can we handle it and are the authorities prepared? Since we won’t be able avoid this. Scammers have all the ATM gadgets, skills and know how, then notice what time the fraudulent cheques took place, 1st week of August busy carnival week with everyone either high or drunk.
It seems though, that all these accounts are well off individuals who seldom check their accounts for unusual activities, plus most banks or credit card companies usually jumps on suspicious activities right away, by contacting the account holder and these were some huge amounts.
Carvaa it looks like the goal is to make Antigua & Barbuda the Miami of the 1980’s to early 2000. The gangs and drugs will be allowed slip through the cracks. It’s up to the policy makers to set up the frameworks to address these. A large percentage of the drugs in particular cocaine is consumed in the tourism industry, plus you can now add the so called medical marijuana. The gangs are used to protect and distribute the drugs.
The banks and financial institutions to include the government regulators have to again put the necessary frameworks in place, to protect the consumers. Most banking systems are set up to alert you immediately once any transaction takes place with your accounts by alerts on your phone, email etc. You can have a two to a three step process to include facial recognition or even thumb print to verify you as the account holder.
Gaston Browne is talking about doubling the economy and who knows how much will the population increase in ten years. This is similar to a greedy person eating from all of the buffet tables, at an all you can eat buffet until they get colic, then they have to puke.
By the way neither of the major political parties have the gumption to address the drugs and gangs systematically because they’re a part of their network and net worth.
Crime pays! You can ask any lawyer, policeman, grudge or thief.
It’s insufficient for The Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) to simply issue a statement advising the public to increase their awareness.
Where is the responsibility of the Banks involved?
It amazes me how the local banks with insufficient security systems and lax oversight are not held responsible.
Yes the public needs to be aware of the many tactics to steal information through fake text messages called “smishing attacks” and phishing attacks through emails or phone calls.
But the ONDCP should be ashamed of themselves. They should be hosting radio programs and podcasts to educate the public of the issues and methods being used to steal peoples money.
It’s always a laught when Government entities are in the picture book medias about some seminars or training the participated in for modern technologies and policies and tgry fail to carry out the simplest of functions.
In other places; phone service carriers offer two levels of service for identifying scam calls and text messages: a free service at no additional cost, the other requires a monthly subscription fee.
I doubt local carriers offer any such service.
This is country where both Government institutions and the private sector increase taxes and prices for goods snd services while offering mediocre quality services and products
I want back the 25,000 I gave to this guy to order a car…stop playing with my money….im trying not to get violent, bit you’re giving me talks like you don’t care….and I’ve worked hard for that money. You gonna make me get angry and do things to you…
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