Online Fraud & Scams

Criminals are sophisticated, well-organised and relentless. Know their tactics before they reach you.

$10B+

lost to online fraud annually in English-speaking countries

47%

of adults have been targeted by an online scam

$1,200

average financial loss per successful fraud victim

Most Common Online Scams

Recognising a scam type is the first step to avoiding it. These are the schemes most frequently reported in Bermuda and across the region.

Romance Fraud

Online Romance Scams

A stranger builds an emotional relationship over weeks or months, then asks for money for a crisis, medical bills, or a plane ticket.

Never send money to someone you have not met in person.

Investment Fraud

Fake Investment Schemes

"Guaranteed returns" on crypto or forex trading. The platform is fake. Your money goes straight to the criminals.

If returns sound too high to be true, they are.

Purchase Fraud

Online Shopping Scams

Goods advertised cheaply on social media or classified sites. Payment is taken, then the seller disappears.

Use secure payment methods and verified sellers only.

Impersonation

Bank or Government Fraud

Someone posing as your bank or a government agency claims your account is at risk and pressures you to transfer funds.

Your bank will never ask you to move money to keep it safe.

Advance Fee

Lottery and Prize Fraud

You have won a prize — but must pay fees, taxes or customs charges to receive it. The prize never arrives.

If you did not enter, you did not win.

Tech Support

Tech Support Scams

A pop-up claims your computer has a virus. A caller offers to fix it for a fee and requests remote access.

Microsoft and Apple never call you unsolicited.

Universal Warning Signs

Unexpected contact from someone you do not know

Urgency — "act now or lose everything"

Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfer or cryptocurrency

Deals that seem far too good to be true

Poor spelling, grammar or odd phrasing in messages

Requests to keep the communication secret

A company or person with no verifiable online presence

Pressure to decide quickly without time to think

If You've Been Scammed

Stop all contact immediately

Do not respond to the scammer. Block them on all platforms and channels.

Contact your bank right away

If money was transferred, call your bank immediately. The faster you act, the better chance of recovery.

Preserve all evidence

Take screenshots of conversations, payment receipts, profiles and any websites involved.

Report to CyberTips

Call 1-441-777-0875 or file an online report. Include all evidence you have gathered.

Warn others

Tell friends and family about the scam so they are not targeted by the same criminals.

Seek support

Being defrauded is deeply distressing. Talk to someone you trust or contact a counsellor.

Online Fraud & Scams

Most Common Online Scams

Universal Warning Signs

If You've Been Scammed

Been targeted by a scam?

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