News

Beware of Online Scam

Published

8 years ago

September 14, 2016

Providenciales, TCI, September 14, 2016 – Press Release from the RT&CIPF: In a few short months, the holiday season will begin to heat up, more people will be shopping online, and more criminals will be trying to steal their information and with the advances in electronic communication, they don’t necessarily need to be face to face to steal from you. Scams are always evolving, and criminals can go to great lengths to cause people to part with their money.

The Financial Crimes Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force continue to investigate instances of individuals being subject to crime on the internet, and despite persons telling their stories of how they have been victims of these criminal activities, persons are still making themselves vulnerable and easy targets by not taking the necessary steps to protect their online activities and sometimes, they just cannot resist the false rewards offered in partaking in the scam.

You might have seen lately on your Facebook newsfeed-or on other Social Media outlets that Facebook is hiring. It seems that they’re looking for people interested in joining their “Work at Home Program” and making money from the comfort of their bedroom. There are mentions of the program being featured on CNN, US Today, or ABC. This leads you to believe that the program will bring in thousands of dollars a month. You are required to open the application page, then asked to provide your name and email address to ‘check availability.’

A next page will then pop up congratulating you on being eligible. That’s when you are invited you to download a ‘Facebook Millionaire’ kit for only four dollars. However, little do you know that your credit card will be charged $94 per month for continued access. Facebook does not have this program. It’s a fake. Ignore the “Make Millions from the Comfort of Your Home” deals, especially if they come with a “Limited Positions Available” tag.

Here are some simple steps to help protect yourself against scammers.

If it sounds too good to be true… It probably is!

■ NEVER send money or give credit card or online account details to anyone you don’t know and trust.

■ ALWAYS seek independent financial and/or legal advice before making any investment or purchasing decisions.

■ NEVER rely solely on advice from the person trying to sell you the service or investment.

Protect your personal information:

■ NEVER give your personal or bank account details to people you don’t know and trust.

■ ALWAYS contact your bank, financial institution or service provider if you have been contacted by a scammer posing to be your Bank.

■ DON’T use the numbers provided on the email to confirm an email’s legitimacy before replying.

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News

Boat Theft Suspect Charged

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – Officers from the Serious Crime Unit (SCU) of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have made a breakthrough following boat thefts in the TCI.

On May 19, 2024, FARIDSON JEAN BAPTISTE, a Haitian national, was charged with the following offences:

Theft of TCI boat Marauder
Theft of TCI boat Jupiter
Theft of TCI boat Team Baja
Handling Stolen Goods
Assisting Illegal Entry into the TCI

Mr JEAN BAPTISTE was initially detained on April 5 th 2024, while attempting to enter the TCI on a high-powered boat that was reported stolen. At the time of the interception, thirty (30) irregular migrants were being transported.

Mr JEAN BAPTISTE remains in custody pending a court date. The arrest and subsequent charges against Mr Jean Baptiste follow a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation by the SCU and the Haitian National Police.

These investigations resulted in the recovery of boats and other property stolen from the TCI, which were retrieved from several locations in Haiti.

The recovered property has an estimated value of over $1.2 million.

News

Road Traffic Operations report for Turks and Caicos

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – The Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force conducted joint road operations alongside the TCI Border Force on May 13th and 16th, 2024, focusing on crime reduction, illegal migration, and road safety.

These efforts aimed to ensure compliance with Road Traffic regulations and yielded significant results. During these operations, THIRTY-EIGHT (38) individuals were detained for immigration violations, and SIXTY-SIX (66) were reported for traffic offences. For April and May 2024, overall joint operations have resulted in ONE HUNDRED and TWENTY (120) persons detained for immigration purposes, and ONE HUNDRED and NINETY-NINE (199) reported for traffic violations.

Acting Inspector Damian Mitchell emphasised the interconnectedness of road traffic compliance, crime, and illegal migration.

He stated, “These operations focus on addressing each critical area.”

Division B and Community Policing head Superintendent Dwight Gardiner noted a general increase in public compliance with traffic regulations during the first quarter of the year.

Superintendent Gardiner encouraged road users to adhere to all aspects of the law, stating, “Let us all strive to keep our roads safe for everyone and reduce crime in our communities. Adhere to the rules of the road. Thanks to our law enforcement partners and you, members of the public.”

Motorists are especially urged to comply with regulations regarding vehicle window tints. Violations carry a substantial penalty of $250 per window.

The RTCIPF and TCI Border Force thank the public for their cooperation and continued efforts to maintain safety and order on the roads.

News

Undocumented Man Charged with Gang and Firearm Offenses

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – An undocumented Haitian male, aged 20, faces charges related to gang activity and firearms.

He was apprehended along with others in a small blue car in front of Sunny Foods Supermarket on South Dock/Five Cays Road on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2024. Providing the name JAMES SIMON to the police, he was accompanied by a 16/17-year-old (name withheld) who faces charges of unlawful entry.

The accused is charged with illegal possession of a Black Glock 44 (serial number AEBE402) containing 10 rounds of 22LR ammunition on South Dock/Five Cays Road, Providenciales.

Additionally, he is alleged to be one of three individuals involved in a morning robbery at 809 or Chances, Blue Hills, Providenciales. The robbery, captured on video, involved the gunpoint theft of a female’s white handbag containing $799.00.

He has been remanded until the next sufficiency hearing on July 7th, 2024. Appearing in court on Monday, May 13th, he was represented by Mr. Ashwood Forbes, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions represented by Ms. Enjaleek Dickerson.

He was arraigned on the following charges: