Financial Authorities Warn of Job Search Scams Targeting Saint Kitts and Nevis Residents

Warning Issued by Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC), White Collar Crime Unit (WCCU) and Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)

The FSRC, WCCU, and FIU in Saint Kitts and Nevis have issued a warning to the public about a wave of job search scams that are being perpetrated online. These scams specifically target individuals who are seeking opportunities to work from home or earn extra income.

How Scams Work

Scammers post fake job advertisements on social media platforms such as Facebook, offering “unusually high” or “unrealistic” wages for minimal tasks or jobs such as typing, data entry, and preparing correspondence. Once victims respond to these ads, they are contacted by the scammers who claim that they have been successful in obtaining employment without any screening or interview.

Red Flags

Some common red flags associated with these scams include:

• Scammers using social media direct messages only to communicate and distribute tasks
• Payment for services being made through wire transfers and mobile transactions
• Victims being instructed to forward a portion of their payment to other individuals via money remitters
• Scammers requesting personal information, including banking details, before sending official confirmation of employment

Money Laundering Alert

The authorities have warned that any money derived from these scams is considered money laundering. The Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) outlines that a person engages in money laundering if they know or ought to reasonably have known that the money or other property was obtained from some form of criminal activity.

Reporting Requirements

If you have received funds via a job search scam, authorities advise you to immediately contact the WCCU via email at wccu@sknicf.gov.kn or wcuu@sknicf.gov.kn or via telephone at 467-1952/3/4 or 662-4723.