Since 2023, 18 Cases Of Seniors Being Scammed
The police confirmed that since January 2023, they have investigated 18 cases involving seniors being duped out of approximately $1.5 million dollars by online fraudsters.
A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service [BPS], wishes to remind the public of the need to help protect our senior citizens against falling victim to scams in which bad actors take advantage of their vulnerabilities and steal monies from them. This is a form of elder abuse.
“As of January 2023 to present, the BPS Financial Crime Unit has investigated 18 cases involving seniors being duped out of approximately one and a half million dollars by online fraudsters. In one instance, a senior lost $250,000. These unscrupulous individuals play on the vulnerabilities of the elderly, leading them to provide their personal information and banking details. There have even been instances where family members have caused seniors to make transactions against their will.”
Detective Chief Inspector, Jason Smith, of the Specialist Investigations Unit, said, “The BPS is seeing a rise in the number of such cases being reported. To date, five arrests have been made and two persons have been convicted in the courts for these offences.
“We want to encourage the public to help protect our seniors by reminding them not to give their personal information to anyone without first verifying that they are from a reputable organization with which they have a bona fide interest. We are also appealing to family members who are aware of other relatives who may be pressuring elders to give money to someone or, trying to trick a senior into signing wills or contracts, to come forward and report these matters to the police.”
A spokesperson added, “The BPS would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions that our seniors have made to our community and give the assurance that we will continue to do all within our power to ensure their safety and wellbeing, in order that they may enjoy their golden years.”
Online crime. What a surprise! And another unnamed spokesperson. A few years ago the BPS was given a plan to reduce scams originating from offshore. It went nowhere, something to do with it is not the job of BPS to ask the ISPs to provide protection as outlined in the plan. BPS would not run the plan up the chain of command to the Minister of Security as that would be outside their lane. Not only did this attitude allow Government and private systems to be hacked but Bermiduans continued to suffer from offshore scams. But hey, job security!
“BPS would not run the plan up the chain of command to the Minister of Security”
The Minister of National Security is not in the chain of command for the BPS. The Commissioner of the BPS reports directly to the Governor, not to the Government.
I simply repeated what I was told by BPS as what was required to implement the protocols involved actions at the ministerial level. Sue me for repeating what I was told.
Oh, lookie! You were wrong! Dude, you are slipping. Posted on the Government’s website” (text reformated)
National Security – The Ministry of National Security ensures the safety and security of all Bermudians.
Meet Bermuda’s Minister of National Security, The Hon. Michael Weeks JP, MP – What do they do?
Keeping Bermuda safe and secure is a big job; the Ministry of National Security maintains or oversees several departments and agencies to achieve its goals:
Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service
Department of Corrections
Royal Bermuda Regiment
>>> Bermuda Police Service <<<
Police Complaints Authority