Make Sure You’re Conversing with the REAL TCI GOVERNOR, fake account WARNING

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, August 11, 2023 – Once again a Turks and Caicos leader has been targeted by online fraudsters who have set up fake accounts and are reaching out to residents.  This time it is Governor Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam, the governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands who had to set the record straight following the appearance of a Facebook page bearing her name.

A statement from the Governor’s Office said,

“The account entitled ‘Dileeni Deniel-Selvaratnam’ is wholly fabricated.  If anyone receives any type of communication from an account by this name they should ignore it, particularly any correspondence which requests financial payment.  The account has been reported to Facebook.”

The press release also shared pictures of the page which features a photo of Selvartnam and the TCI emblem.  It is different from the official page which is called, “Turks and Caicos Islands, Governor’s Office.”

The Governor had a warning for residents about being vigilant online.

“Individuals should be wary of requests from public figures which seem suspicious, particularly if these include solicitations for financial details or other personal information.  To confirm, the Governor’s Office does not conduct official business through any social media private messaging platforms.  All correspondence of the Governor’s Office will be through official government email accounts.”

In the past, several years ago, a number of local leaders, including Nigel Dakin, Former Governor and Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Former Premier, had fallen victim to similar schemes.  These identity thieves use YouTube and Facebook to share salacious headlines enticing residents to click on suspicious links in some cases and contacting them directly in others.

Magnetic Media reminds residents to be cautious of accepting any communication from unknown individuals online or clicking on suspicious links.