The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service confirmed that on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, officers arrested three men, 32, 32, and 33, who are visitors to Cayman, on suspicion of obtaining property by deception. The RCIPS explained that the arrests occurred after the men purchased several items with card information from multiple cards, which appears to have been fraudulently obtained.
Police also searched the premises where the men were located and seized several items, including phones, computer equipment, perfumes, and expensive jewellery, which are suspected to have been obtained by the same method.
Police are investigating multiple instances of credit card fraud, where persons have made purchases using fraudulently obtained credit card details without the knowledge or consent of the cardholders.
Police said that, at times, these purchases have been made over the phone or online; however, they have recently seen a number of instances where the culprits have made purchases in person without providing a physical card or identification.
Businesses that have conducted transactions with manually entered card details since 16 March, particularly involving a group of three American men, two of whom are of dark complexion and one of light complexion, are asked to review these transactions and contact the RCIPS Financial Crime Investigation Unit at [email protected] if they have any suspicions.
The RCIPS is taking this opportunity to advise the public and businesses of the steps they can take to help avoid becoming victims of this type of fraud.
Members of the public should remember to never share card details or their PIN with others, always keep their cards in sight when making payments, and keep them out of sight of others.It’s also important to monitor your account for unrecognised payments. If possible, take advantage of transaction alerts provided through email or a bank-approved app. This way, if you see a card payment you don’t recognise, you can report it immediately to your bank.Finally, persons should avoid, as best as possible, making payments with your card via phone. Instead, remote payments should be done through secure recognisable platforms.
The RCIPS said that businesses should avoid conducting card transactions when persons are unable to produce the physical card with matching identification.
Additionally, businesses may want to consider not conducting card transactions over the phone since a physical card cannot be provided in these cases.
If you suspect you have been a victim of credit card fraud, contact the RCIPS at 949-4222 or by dialling 9-1-1.
