Trinidad authorities probe online scams impersonating the country’s finance minister

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Trinidad’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have warned the public to be aware of the continued circulation of fraudulent social media posts falsely claiming that the Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo is involved in investment schemes.

“As stated previously by the Ministry of Finance, these claims are entirely false and have no connection to the minister or the ministry,” the ministry said in a release.

In the wake of this, official reports have been made by Tancoo to the relevant authorities to trigger investigations.

“To keep citizens safe from these emerging threats, Senator Dominic Smith, minister of public administration and artificial intelligence, and the ministry continue to strengthen national capacity to detect, prevent and respond to AI-driven threats and digital fraud.”

The finance ministry stated that while artificial intelligence presents powerful opportunities for innovation, it also introduces risks that demand coordinated vigilance.

Citizens are being urged to trust only official communications from the ministry of finance regarding policies or programmes; verify the authenticity of investment opportunities with the Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC), and report any suspicious activity or investment scams to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) or the TTSEC.

“The Government of Trinidad and Tobago remains steadfast in its mission to preserve trust in the digital space and ensure that emerging technologies are used responsibly and ethically for the benefit of all citizens,” it said.

Similar scams have targeted public figures in Jamaica.

READ: Police warn against interacting with AI video promoting fake investment scheme