PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten (KPS) — Towards the end of 2018 and early 2019, the police department (KPSM) has received a number of reports of on-line scamming. The main victims are those persons or businesses who have ordered goods online and transferred money through local banks to international banks. The moment the money is transferred and the scammers have received the money, the victims no longer receive any response from the scammers. The scammers have designed fictitious companies and fake websites to look “legitimate”.
In addition, the victims can be approached by scammers via fake e-mails. There have also been cases where the scammers approach the victims via Face book. On Face-book the victims are referred to fake web-shops. These fake-mails are oftentimes extremely convincing. Through a fake e-mail, internet criminals try to retrieve or access your personal details. Usually you have to click on a link. The e-mails look exactly like they really are from a legitimate company.
KPSM (Sint Maarten Police Force) is hereby informing the general public of this unfortunate situation and that they should be very vigilant and cautious when going on-line to make any type of electronic financial transfers or purchases, and or the sharing of personal information.
This situation is being monitored and investigated by the KPSM Fraud-department.
Anyone who has information in regard to this case should immediately get in contact with the police department by calling 54-22222 ext. 217 or the emergency number 911.
