Residents Urged to Stay Vigilant as Cybercrime Reports Increase

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda is warning residents to be on high alert amid a rise in cybercrime and fraud reports targeting both individuals and businesses.

According to law enforcement, several people have recently been contacted by individuals posing as government officials and requesting phone credit top-ups. Others have been pressured to reveal sensitive personal and financial details to unknown callers and online contacts, resulting in compromised accounts and financial losses.

Police say investigations are underway into multiple incidents involving business establishments and private citizens.

In a statement issued Friday, the Police Administration urged the public to remain cautious and avoid sharing personal details unless they can fully verify the identity of the caller or agency.

To minimize the risk of falling victim to cybercriminals, residents are advised to follow these safety practices:
•⁠ ⁠Never share personal information—including banking details, passwords, verification codes, or ID numbers—with unverified individuals.
•⁠ ⁠Do not send money or phone credit to persons claiming to be government officials without confirming their identity through official channels.
•⁠ ⁠Be wary of unsolicited calls, messages, or emails demanding urgent action, payments, or verification.
•⁠ ⁠Verify the legitimacy of businesses, government offices, or financial institutions before responding to requests.
•⁠ ⁠Use secure websites with “https” and trusted payment systems when conducting online transactions.
•⁠ ⁠Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on banking apps, email platforms, and social media accounts.
•⁠ ⁠Update passwords regularly and avoid using the same password across multiple platforms.
•⁠ ⁠Monitor your bank accounts frequently for suspicious charges or activity.
•⁠ ⁠Report any suspicious incidents immediately to your bank and to the police.

The force says it remains committed to protecting the public and encourages anyone who believes they have been targeted or defrauded to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or visit the nearest police station.