Created: Jun 02, 2022 05:37 PM
Police advised that a scam is operating through WhatsApp messages (File image)
An elderly man was tricked out of $65,000 worth of cash and gift cards in a scheme that lasted more than a year, police said.
Residents were warned about a scam where people are told they are prize draw winners but must keep the windfall secret.
A Bermuda Police Service spokesman said: “The BPS is once again advising members of the public that if you receive a message from unknown persons suggesting that you have won a large sum of money, it is more than likely a fraud and should be ignored.
“A variation of a classic scam currently circulating claims US $800,000 in prize money from ‘Samsung’ has been won.
“More recently, in an effort to further validate the scam, the fraudsters have managed to convince a Bermudian male to post a misleading video on social media stating that the prize draw is legitimate.
“In addition, the fraudsters are informing recipients that they must keep their ‘winnings’ secret.”
He added: “The BPS is aware of one elderly local man who has been involved in the fraudulent scheme for over 12 months and has so far sent $65,000 in cash and iTunes cards, before reporting the matter to police.
“It is suspected that overseas fraudsters have swindled more local residents.”
The police spokesman said that people are usually contacted through WhatsApp and informed that they are the winner of a prize…
