A new scam affecting the territory is one that cunningly deceives its victims into sending monies to scammers before the victims are able catch on in time to stop the process.
According to the V.I.P.D., the scammer, acting as an agent for a company, posts a job vacancy or an investment opportunity on the internet or other sources. The only way to contact the scammer is by an email or text message. When the victim makes contact, the scammer responds by informing the victim that he/she received the job; or by providing documentation for the investment with no verbal communication. The scammer then sends the victim a check and tells the victim to deposit it into their account.
Once the check clears at the bank, the victim is required to send a portion of the money to the sender using a wiring company or a bank wire. However, by the time the bank’s check clearing process is completed, the money is already moved out of the account. At that time, the bank and the depositor are both stuck with the counterfeit check.
V.I.P.D. warns residents to never accept checks from unknown persons met through online sources. And never deposit checks from unknown sources into your account.
The V.I.P.D. says scammers often pretend to be someone you trust, like a government official, a family member, a charity, or a company you do business with. Don’t send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request whether it comes as a text, a phone call, or an email.
The force is also urging residents to contact the V.I.P.D.’s Economic Crime Unit to report suspicious activity or if you are a victim of a scam at 340-774-3942 for the St. Thomas District or 340-778-1001 for our St. Croix district.
Tags: internet scam, scam, us virgin islands
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