The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR Minister Shane Gibson is raising the alarm about a Facebook scam that is conning Bahamians out of money while using his identity.

Fake Facebook profiles featuring his name and image have been made within the last several months, he said.

Those using the fake profiles have requested money from residents of his Golden Gates constituency.

The scammers have asked people to give money as a process fee in order to receive more money from a United Nations money grant, Mr Gibson said.

At least four people have been successfully conned, he added, with at least one of those persons, a woman, giving $620 to the scammer.

“For some reason a couple of them (gave the) money and I don’t know why,” he told reporters yesterday, noting that the money was transferred by way of Money Gram.

“I want to sensitise the public to this. Be careful when you see accounts being abused where persons are soliciting money for any reason. If a person wants to give you money let them give it to you. I don’t understand why you would have to give them a couple dollars as fee for them to give you something they say you are entitled to.

“It’s happened five times,” he continued. “One in May and four within the past three to four weeks. It is a concern. In one instance a young lady said she sent $620 over time. I think the (scammer) was trying to get $1,000 (from her). I don’t know why she didn’t just walk around to my office and ask me if it’s my account. From the Golden Gates Foundation’s point of view, we will never be soliciting the public’s funds in order to give you funds back.”

Mr Gibson said he has spoken with police officers about the matter.

“They said they spoke with Facebook on several occasions about similar matters,” he said. “They said there is difficulty with Facebook cooperating with these. (However), when reported to Facebook, they would usually pull down the accounts right away.”

Chief Police Superintendent Clayton Fernander said yesterday that he was not aware whether the matter was being investigated by police.