RVIPF warns residents of blackmail scams

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has received at least four reports of blackmail scams targeting residents in the territory in recent days.

In a statement this week, the RVIPF noted that residents reported receiving alarming text messages demanding cryptocurrency payments, specifically in bitcoin, with threats to release compromising photos or personal information if the payments were not made.

The RVIPF advises individuals against responding to these messages and encourages them to report any such incidents for investigation and guidance.

Detective Chief Inspector Kenrick Davis stated, “The RVIPF is actively investigating these cases to protect residents in our communities. We urge residents to report any suspicious messages and avoid interacting with unknown or threatening contacts.”

To reduce risk, the RVIPF also recommends strengthening privacy settings on social media and avoiding the online sharing of personal data.

While these scams are described as infrequent and not new to the territory, no incidents beyond these recent text messages have been reported.