The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) has issued an urgent warning after reports emerged of persons impersonating police officers in a scheme aimed at obtaining personal identification and banking details from members of the public. The TBPS in a release said that individuals are contacting members of the public via WhatsApp video calls.

“These individuals reportedly speak with a foreign accent and use profile pictures and backgrounds bearing the words ‘Barbados Police Force’ on a crest or imagery designed to resemble the official Barbados Police Service crest. During these calls, they falsely claim that a scammer has hacked your bank account using privacy software and that they are attempting to recover the stolen funds,” the release stated.

According to the TPBS persons are being asked to show or provide images of their identification cards, bank cards, and other personal documents for verification purposes. “The Barbados Police Service wishes to advise the public that these individuals are not police officers. At no time will The Barbados Police Service request that members of the public display, submit, or verify personal identification documents, bank cards, banking information, passwords, PINs, or other sensitive personal information through WhatsApp, video calls, social media platforms, or any other online means,” the TBPS stated. Authorities are urging Barbadians to remain vigilant and immediately end any communication with persons making such requests.