Are you safe from fraud? Learn how to protect yourself from the latest scams in this eye-opening episode of Beyond the Tape. Inspector Marvin Francis from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Fraud Squad joins Mark Bassant to discuss the alarming rise of white-collar crime.
Discover the various methods fraudsters use, from ABM schemes and smishing to investment and land fraud. With nearly $8.5 million lost to ABM fraud alone in the first half of 2025, it’s crucial to stay informed and vigilant. Find out what the TTPS is doing to combat these crimes and how you can avoid becoming a victim.
Tune in to understand the evolving trends in fraud and gain practical tips to safeguard your hard-earned money and property. Don't miss this vital discussion on staying one step ahead of the criminals.
#FraudPrevention #WhiteCollarCrime #ScamAwareness #TrinidadAndTobago
Discover the various methods fraudsters use, from ABM schemes and smishing to investment and land fraud. With nearly $8.5 million lost to ABM fraud alone in the first half of 2025, it’s crucial to stay informed and vigilant. Find out what the TTPS is doing to combat these crimes and how you can avoid becoming a victim.
Tune in to understand the evolving trends in fraud and gain practical tips to safeguard your hard-earned money and property. Don't miss this vital discussion on staying one step ahead of the criminals.
#FraudPrevention #WhiteCollarCrime #ScamAwareness #TrinidadAndTobago
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00...for young children.
00:30Beyond the Tape, we'll be back after these messages.
00:43What if your best hair day was every day?
00:46L-Vibe Hyaluron Plus Plump with hyaluronic acid.
00:49Two times more hydration transforms your hair for up to 72 hours.
00:53Work that balance.
00:55L-Vibe Hyaluron Plus Plump by Laura Paris.
00:57You're worth it.
00:58Take a walk on the wild side at the Breaktime Jungle Excursion,
01:02a kids' event that takes place on Saturday, 5th July at the Center of Excellence, McCoyer.
01:06From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., come enjoy your petting zoo.
01:10Enter virtual reality.
01:11Experience the exciting exhibitor rooms.
01:14Play giant board games, laser tag, and more.
01:17General tickets cost $100 or get the special 2-for-1 ticket, only $150.
01:22All ticket holders have a chance to win the grand prize of free textbooks for one student.
01:27It's a plethora of pleasure for the little people.
01:30It's the Breaktime Jungle Excursion, July 5th.
01:33Center of Excellence, McCoyer.
01:34Be there.
01:35Reach everyone, everywhere, all at once, with The Express.
01:44Whether it's via the trusted pages of our newspaper, using our app, on our social media pages, or through our website,
01:51The Express makes it easy to connect with your target audience.
01:54When you advertise on any of our platforms, your message travels further, leading to greater awareness, increased lead generation, and maximum return on investment.
02:04So whether your customers are at home, at work, or on the move, it's easy to reach everyone, everywhere, all at once, with The Express.
02:13Welcome to Living Life, the magazine show where experience meets inspiration.
02:25Each week, we dive into vibrant stories of health, style, and leisure.
02:30Celebrate Caribbean icons in legends.
02:33Taste the good life with food and fitness.
02:36Stay sharp with tech-savvy tips and expert financial and medical advice.
02:42And discover amazing local events you won't want to miss.
02:46Join our hosts, the delightful Charmaine Ford and Cecilia Salazar, as they celebrate our bold, brilliant, mature adults.
02:54This is your time to shine.
02:56Catch us weekly on TV and social media.
02:59Let's keep living life together.
03:02Living life in proud partnership with Todd.
03:06Welcome to Beyond the Tape.
03:23I'm your host, Mark Bassant.
03:25Welcome to our viewers across Trinidad and Tobago, our global viewers, and our friends across in the Isle of Grenada.
03:33Well, it's Tuesday, and today we have with us Inspector Marvin Francis of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Fraud Squad.
03:42Welcome, sir.
03:42It's really a pleasure to have you here, considering the fact that, you know, there are a lot of schemes still ongoing online.
03:51And, of course, you know, through the banking medium and so on, and I know that you are going to be educating the public today about some of those things as we get along in the program.
04:01Thank you very much for that introduction, and a pleasant good afternoon to our viewing and listening audiences.
04:07So, I know that, you know, everybody tends to look at violent crime as one of these things, but on the other spectrum, there's also white-collar crime, which is, you know, very alarming in many cases.
04:23We have hundreds, maybe even thousands of persons being targeted over a period of time, some losing small sums of money, some losing large sums of money.
04:35And I know we're going to be walking through the various means in which these faceless fraudsters operate.
04:43So, if you could just give us an overview of some of the things we can look forward to as we go along in the program.
04:49Well, definitely, and I would like to mention and remind us that fraud is an intentional deception or a misrepresentation.
05:00And it is made with that fact that that misrepresentation could cause persons to part with their hard-earned money or even their property.
05:11Now, we in the TTPS, we have a mandate, and that mandate includes maintaining law and order, preserving life,
05:17enforcing all laws under which we are charged.
05:21But part of that mandate, we are to prevent and detect crime.
05:27So, part of that prevention strategy, we haven't scanned the horizon, so to speak.
05:34Some of the fraud offenses that are prevalent involves ABM fraud.
05:39It also involves investment fraud, as well as involving land fraud.
05:47And we want to alert members of the public what to look for and how to prevent themselves from becoming a victim or a target of these offenses.
05:58Right. Without going into too much detail, as we are now starting, can you give us an idea, based on your knowledge, based on your investigations over a period of time,
06:10what you have seen really upward trending in terms of ABM fraud, the text messaging, the land fraud, or even the other one you mentioned, which was investment fraud?
06:24Yes. Well, in relation to the ABM fraud, we are looking at the period from the 1st of January 2025 to the 27th of June 2025.
06:36And the persons would have lost money for that period total to close to $8.5 million.
06:44That's a lot of money.
06:46Yes, it is. And it involves different methods.
06:50Yes. We spoke about the smishing, and I'll go with more into that later on.
06:55Yes, yes.
06:56Also, there's the fishing aspect. There's the cards shimming, and another thing called the card shimming.
07:06So, it sounds, don't get too tired with the terms. I will explain what it is.
07:10Yes.
07:11And also, what we can do to prevent us from becoming targets, because everybody, almost everybody, owns an ABM card.
07:21Exactly.
07:22ABM cards are used to do our business, and it is convenient, because it prevents us from having to go into the bank.
07:30In your estimation, you know, over the last couple of years, what would you see as one of the more alarming trends you're seeing in terms of fraud, up on the rise, that is?
07:42Is it ABM fraud? Is it land fraud? Is it investment fraud?
07:45Is it some other kind of fraud that's really starting to take off over the last, let's say, last three to four years?
07:51Well, ABM fraud has always been up in the higher levels.
07:57Then we are starting to see the introduction of the investment fraud, where persons are promising persons high returns with a low investment over a short period of time.
08:10And persons are becoming prey and victims of this type of fraud.
08:16And also, we have the land fraud, which has always been there.
08:22There's a different method in which it's being done.
08:25But those things, if I were to say, they seem to be racing to tie for a first place.
08:31Wow.
08:32Well, we're certainly going to be talking a lot more about these specific types of fraud that you have mentioned here today.
08:38And obviously, I know a lot of people are very interested because I know that there is a particular investment fraud that I'm looking into.
08:48And I mean, like, thousands of persons have been affected.
08:52And we're talking about millions of dollars lost or still up in the air, so to speak.
08:59All right.
08:59Let's take a quick look now at our headlines.
09:01All right.
09:27So those are some of the headlines over the last 24 hours.
09:30And we clocked murder 190 earlier today, unfortunately, in the Boodoo Trace area in Pinal.
09:40The victim was identified as Ganesh Ramcharita, 41 years of age, shot in the head and I believe his chest in what is supposedly some kind of argument over money.
09:57And certainly, certainly, the person or the suspect, rather, who has an alias is now on the run and police are searching for that suspect, Inspector Francis.
10:10Well, I would like to start off by saying condolences to the family of that victim.
10:19And we continue to see that firearms remain the number one method that persons cause havoc in society.
10:27You know, we have the proliferation of guns and drugs and gangs.
10:30Yes.
10:31But firearms remain the number one instrument that is used in the committing of homicides.
10:39Yeah, certainly.
10:40And, you know, there was an unrelated incident this morning at the Piako International Airport.
10:49A passenger, I believe, collapsed in the area, the airport area there.
10:55You're seeing persons attempting CPR, trying to revive the unidentified individual.
11:02Well, unfortunately, the person was taken to the Arima Health Facility later.
11:10The airport's authority would have sent a release.
11:14And, unfortunately, he passed at the Arima Health Facility.
11:19And we just want to express our deepest sympathies to the family of that gentleman.
11:24Yes, condolences to the family of that person.
11:28And when persons go through these kind of trauma, unexpected, expecting their loved one to return home from a flight abroad and to go through this,
11:39it's really heartbreaking.
11:41But there were persons who were attempting to resuscitate, and, unfortunately, he still succumbed to his ailment.
11:54Yeah.
11:55Well, hats off to those persons.
11:57We saw individuals there administering medical assistance until others could come to his aid
12:05and taking to the medical facility where they would have attempted to reviving without success.
12:12But, nevertheless, we always know that there are still really good persons out there.
12:15Definitely.
12:16When something happens, a total stranger would go out there and help them, regardless of the situation.
12:21Definitely.
12:21And we are not that far going to say that persons will no longer render aid to persons.
12:28And, you know, moving a little bit into the extreme, you know, this is, you know, we have seen many videos like these over the past few weeks
12:38or rather months involving, you know, women, you know, look at this video here.
12:44You know, women said to be in the Port of Spain area, you know, exchanging blues, Inspector Francis.
12:52I mean, come on.
12:53When you look at what is happening in the schools and you wonder, well, why there's an uptick in fights among school girls and stuff like that,
13:05you want to know where they are getting the examples from.
13:09And these adults are supposed to be setting the correct examples.
13:14They're not.
13:15But they're not setting the examples.
13:16And, unfortunately, the young children, they tend to follow these examples.
13:22And when they see these kinds of things happening in front of their faces, they're going to replicate that kind of behavior in the school.
13:32Exactly.
13:32And just recently, four, five girls were charged in relation to similar type of behavior.
13:39Yes.
13:39And something has to be done in the schools because it seems to be widespread.
13:46It needs to be addressed.
13:47We're hopeful that your plea and your statement will go a long way like other officers and the officials at the Ministry of Education listening before something even worse happens, you know, God forbid.
14:01But we certainly would like to see that kind of engagement with the police service and the Ministry of Education because we are coming to a forum now where students are armed with different objects.
14:17And it can inflict serious bodily harm on their peers.
14:22Yes.
14:23Now, the intervention of the police and the Ministry of Education and other agencies, they are just the second part.
14:32The first part is supposed to start in the homes.
14:36Yes.
14:37Because that is where, you know, they say charity begins at home.
14:40So the first part of training is supposed to begin at home.
14:44Unfortunately, that is not the instance in many cases.
14:48And it is left for the teachers and for the police officers and everybody else to follow up and pick up what was not done.
14:57And in some cases, due to so-called different social issues, sometimes it doesn't happen in time.
15:07And the child who is frustrated takes out their vendetta on another child.
15:12Yes.
15:14As you said, you know, oil boils down to parenting inside the home.
15:20If there is indiscipline happening in the home for some reason or the other, and these children are not being disciplined or they are seeing things that are happening in and around them,
15:32the environment, whether they are seeing violence or they are seeing people speaking to persons in a particular way.
15:39Yes.
15:39As you said, they are going to copy that behavior and they are going to take that behavior and carry it to school.
15:44Yes.
15:44And added to that, we have the intervention of social media.
15:50You have access to all sort of different negative things on your hands or in your hands with your cell phones.
15:58Yes.
15:59So when the parents are not looking, the children or the child is looking at something else,
16:03which is not creating a positive result or a positive impact on their thinking,
16:10and they act out what they have in their minds, unfortunately.
16:13And we spoke about that yesterday when Captain Valance Rambarat was on about, you know, the cell phones
16:21and maybe restricting the type of phone you are allowed to take to school without access to the internet,
16:26but at least be able to call or communicate with your parents or in case of emergency, make a call.
16:31Well, I know some parents suggested getting a Me Too for the child and that was an uproar, another sort of uproar in the home,
16:39but something has to be done.
16:41Yes, certainly, something has to be done.
16:43All right, we're going to take a short break and we'll be back after this.
16:46Stay with us.
16:47Get the best in affordable eyewear, frames with blue filter lenses and eye exam,
17:03single vision lenses with transitions on designer frames, progressive transitions with designer frames,
17:09happening only at CV Optical, affordable eye care for everyone.
17:12Design, renovate and repair can be found at Megatrader's Home Improvement Centre.
17:19It's all here from plumbing supplies, power tools, hand tools, everything for your home is at Megatrader's.
17:24Brooms, door locks, electrical, paint supplies, folding doors, gardener, water hoses, 3D wall panels, toilet sets and much more.
17:33Shop, earn points and save.
17:34Visit us at our 5,000 square foot store.
17:37Megatrader's Limited, 81 Superstreet, San Fernando.
17:40Call 652-4438 or visit us online.
17:44Craig the science of stronger hair.
17:46New Fructis with keratin, protein or biotin in reloaded systems.
17:51Up to 72 hours fresh control, 48 hours definition or 72 hours thicker looking hair.
17:57New Fructis by Garnier.
17:58Naturally.
17:59This is Mary.
18:04Mary has bills to pay and takes a chance parking in front of the building at the no parking sign.
18:11Mary returns to her car and this is what happens.
18:15Mary decides to call when she's five minutes away to let her daughter know that she is close by.
18:28But Mary forgot one thing.
18:33Second ticket for the day.
18:34I don't know.
18:35I really don't know.
18:36Well, I tell you.
18:37After two tickets, Mary just isn't paying attention to her speed.
18:42Don't be like Mary.
18:59Obey the laws of the rude.
19:02A message from the TTPS.
19:03Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
19:18I'm your host, Mark Bussan, joined today by Inspector Marvin Francis of the Fraud Squad of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
19:25And I know that the Commissioner, Commissioner Guevara, was on last Friday.
19:30Yes.
19:30And he did speak about the application process for FIAM users license.
19:35And obviously, I know a lot of people still have questions.
19:39But he did lay out, you know, in crystal clear, the things you need to do.
19:43Of course, if you have questions or you want to contact them, you can do so at 627-5217, extensions 12410, 12411, or 12412.
19:57And, of course, he listed the requirements for application, which included the valid identification, your passport, your ID, your national ID, your DP, your certificate of character issued by the TTPS,
20:11psychiatric evaluation conducted by a certified mental health professional, a medical certificate from a registered practitioner,
20:20a letter of consent from a spouse and or adult residing at the applicant's home dated within the last six months,
20:26and, of course, other documentation as it relates to justification will be requested by the TTPS investigators upon being interviewed.
20:35Yes.
20:35And these documentations are time-bound, so to speak, in the sense that after six months, for example, the certificate of character, you will have to do it over again.
20:47So persons, when they're doing their application, ensure that they have all the requirements, and then they can go to the FIAM section,
20:57and they will be guided there in relation to their application.
21:00We know that there's been a lot of contention over the last few years where people would have gotten, you know, favors through different entities,
21:07and the commissioner made it explicitly clear that no entity outside of the organization in relation to the acquisition or facilitation of FC Wells.
21:17Such actions may be deemed unlawful and will be investigated accordingly.
21:22So you're saying that the TTPS holds its sole legitimate authority to issue FIAMs to anyone interested?
21:29That is correct.
21:31The FIAMs, once the application is successful, the FIAMs are issued by the commissioner of police.
21:38No one is to claim or charge any fee to speed up an application or to fast-track a FIAM application.
21:48That is against the law, and persons will feel the full brunt of the law once persons are found to be engaged in such activities.
21:58Yeah, and go on to the days of, if you think you know John, Smith, or whoever, and you can give them something on your side to make sure that you get through, those days are done.
22:08Yeah?
22:09Absolutely correct.
22:10All right.
22:11So I hope everybody is clear on that.
22:13The numbers have been put up, so if you have any other questions, considering if you are applying for FUL,
22:19you can feel free to call those numbers, and they will clarify any other questions that you might have.
22:25All right, so we're going to move to a lighter bit of a segment before we get into some heavy stuff.
22:31The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Community Partnership with the Nelson Street Girls RSC School,
22:39the Daddy-Daughter Dance Initiative.
22:42Let's take a look.
22:42Now, normally we have our Daddy-Daughter Dance prior to Father's Day, but on today, the Feast of the Sacred Heart,
22:58we are so happy to have our Daddy-Daughter Dance.
23:01This is something that has been going on for the past nine years in our school,
23:07and it's a dance where our girls and our fathers get to sit down, spend some time together, dance.
23:14Our fathers are writing letters to their children, because you see, oftentimes you don't think about time,
23:20and we don't see how time flies.
23:23So they're writing letters to their children right now, as they are at five or six or seven,
23:29and speaking about the wishes that they have for their children, for their future.
23:33And I would like to thank members of the Human Resource Department of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
23:39for coming here and to fill in the gap for some of our Daddies who are not present.
23:44To be honest, it shows a significance with the partnership of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
23:51and our communities and our schools.
23:54I believe that this is truly an example of how important it is for us as members of society,
24:03as well as members of the law enforcement community, to partner with each other to achieve one common goal.
24:09And today is a classic example of how we could achieve this goal by simply doing these small acts of kindness
24:15and filling in that gap that the principal just mentioned of some of the areas where fathers are not present.
24:22And it really sat with me, and it improved my concept as a father as well,
24:29to see how important it is to be there for our children.
24:32It also encourages our young ladies, as we present ourselves and as examples to them,
24:36on how men in our society should treat people.
24:40I was asking her if she's ever a couple danced before, and she said yes, and that she usually enjoys it.
24:48She loves dancing and that kind of thing.
24:50And quite obviously, that was displayed because she fell into the routine quite well.
24:55So it was a nice little experience for me.
24:58And these are the things that, you know, as an administrator and a teacher,
25:02I know it makes you feel happy because, let me be honest, before you all came, I was a bit depressed
25:09because I'm seeing some of the girls, and when the girls were dancing with their fathers,
25:13some girls sat down and I'm saying, come and dance with me, miss, I don't want to dance with you.
25:17You know, because obviously, they're seeing daddies and uncles and brothers.
25:22And, you know, so I'm just quite pleased that you all actually did this for me.
25:27You wouldn't believe it.
25:28It touched me deep inside.
25:30Thank you very much.
25:32Wow, Inspector Francis, I don't know if you have a daughter, but you have a dance with her.
25:39If you have one, your niece or something.
25:41Yes, I have a daughter.
25:43I have danced with my daughter before.
25:45Making me realize I need to improve on my dancing skills.
25:49But this is a lovely initiative.
25:52Hats off to the police officers and the teachers involved in this.
25:55And what I am looking at is the intervention of positive influence in the life of these school children,
26:04these young girls, before they could be targeted and influenced by peer pressure and by gangs and stuff like that.
26:11And I think we need to have more instances like this.
26:16And what I also saw standing out there, sadly, is that the mention of some of the fathers were absent.
26:24Some of them could have been working, but sometimes we find more than too often that fathers who are supposed to be present in the life of the children, in the life of the family, for some reason, he is not there.
26:39And influence from other persons comes into the family.
26:45We spoke earlier on about how children are brought up at home.
26:51Yes.
26:51And this is an integral part of what we are speaking about here.
26:54That father-daughter relationship, that mother-son relationship even.
26:59Yes.
26:59You know, as you say, and it's really good to see.
27:02It's really uplifting.
27:03I hope that this is something that will spread across not just the primary schools, but across secondary schools as well, you know, where your mother can come and see her son and dance.
27:13You know, that kind of bonding, it's priceless, really, for father and daughter as well.
27:18It's rather priceless.
27:19And I know some persons don't have their mother or their father, but I'm sure there's an uncle or a nephew or, you know, an auntie who can fill in and come and make them feel the same way.
27:34Yes, definitely.
27:35And this type of experience, the child will remember this.
27:40More surely.
27:41For the rest of their lives, you know.
27:42Yeah.
27:43So, it is our duty to ensure that we can bring some sort of positive influence into the lives of not only our children, but children in the community as well.
27:57So, again, I want to say hats off to the officers who were involved in that, and that is just excellent.
28:04Yes, indeed.
28:05It was a really feel-good moment.
28:06And, you know, I just want to take this opportunity, of course, to thank all those officers from the TTPS who took part in that particular dance off there, even though they were not fathers of these children.
28:19And, of course, to remind parents out there to keep the children close and teach them the right things.
28:25And, of course, you know, have those moments where you can share and enjoy.
28:29All right?
28:29Yes.
28:29We're going to take a short break, and we'll be back.
28:31Stay with us.
28:32We're going to take a short break, and we'll be back.
29:02All shows are $200, and for tickets, call or message 790-1751, email orders at marionetteschorale.com, or contact the venues or any choir member.
29:15See you there.
29:20Plumbing problems?
29:23Don't guess.
29:24Call Plumbing Solutions at 628-4646.
29:28Proud to be serving Trinidad and Tobago for over 20 years.
29:31We do it all.
29:34We do it all.
29:34Maintenance and repairs.
29:36New construction.
29:38Sewer lines.
29:39Inspection.
29:41Drain cleaning.
29:42Leak detection.
29:44We are licensed and insured.
29:46So call Plumbing Solutions at 628-4646.
29:51Crack the science of stronger hair.
29:53New fructise with keratin, protein, or biotin in reloaded systems.
29:58Up to 72 hours frisk control, 48 hours definition, or 72 hours thicker looking hair.
30:03New fructise by Garnier.
30:05Naturally.
30:05Any time you leave your keys in the ignition when you pull up to your driveway, you make
30:19yourself an easy target for theft and robbery.
30:23Make it tough for criminals.
30:25Don't give them a chance.
30:27Switch off your engine, remove your keys, and stay alert.
30:32A message from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
30:49Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
30:50I'm your host, Mark Musan, joined today by Inspector Marvin Francis of the Fraud Squad
30:54of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
30:56We're going to get down to some serious business now because the prevalence of fraud is very
31:03worrying.
31:04A lot of persons have lost millions, as you so articulated earlier on.
31:10Yes.
31:10And I'm just going to let you do your thing now.
31:12Tell us first and foremost about ABM fraud.
31:15Right.
31:15ABM fraud, it refers to financial scams through the ATM terminals.
31:23And it targets the information on your card and access, not only to steal your card, but
31:31to steal your money.
31:33But so because ATM cards have become so convenient, so widespread, the fraudsters have broadened
31:41their tactics in terms of how they capture our information.
31:45So traditionally, we had what we call the card skimming.
31:50Yes.
31:50Right, where a device was or is inserted into the slot, and it captures the information from
31:57the card.
31:59Each card has a magnetic strip.
32:01Yes.
32:01And the information is taken off of that strip, and the information now could now be placed
32:10on a blank card with another strip.
32:13That is the card skimming.
32:15Right.
32:16There is another process or another tactic that the fraudsters use that is called the card
32:22shimming.
32:23Now, it is different from the card skimming, because the cards now come with the chip.
32:32Yes.
32:33Yes.
32:34So, you wouldn't be able to skim a card with a chip.
32:37So what the shimming does, a device is inserted into the slot, and the information is captured
32:44from the chip of the card itself.
32:47So, the information can now be written onto another card, and the information, so technically
32:58you would have cloned your card.
33:00Right.
33:00So you would be in possession of your card, but somebody else would have a clone with your
33:06information.
33:08And with that, they would be able to use your card.
33:11By just tapping.
33:13Because purchases now could be done by just tapping.
33:15Of course.
33:15Yes.
33:16Yes.
33:16And before you could find out, you would have been fleeced of all your money.
33:22Have you all seen this card shimming in Trinidad in the last couple of months?
33:30Is it something that we...
33:32I know we have to be concerned about it.
33:33Is it prevalent here yet?
33:35I would say no.
33:36Okay.
33:37But based on being in contact with other law enforcement agencies, we have to...
33:44Part of scanning the horizon is to be aware of the threats that are out there.
33:51And sad to say it could be a matter of time...
33:54Yes.
33:55...before it could reach you.
33:57We're trying for that not to happen.
33:59So we're trying to make cardholders aware of what to do and how to protect themselves and how to operate with their cards.
34:11Right?
34:11Another method that is used in the ABM card is the phishing.
34:19Right?
34:20Now, the phishing is where an email is sent.
34:25And that email will be giving you certain instructions.
34:29They'll be letting you know that your card has been compromised or there's some issue.
34:34And to correct that issue, you have to click on a particular website.
34:39And it will be asking you for your information from your card.
34:43Right.
34:43Such as your password and your PIN and stuff like that.
34:48Now, the thing about that is, that website resembles the website of your banking institution.
34:56And you, none being the wiser, would click on it.
35:01And once you click and you give up your information, your information is as good as gone.
35:07Yes.
35:08And then there's another method that is used, which is called the smishing.
35:14It is similar to the phishing.
35:17The phishing deals with the website.
35:20Right.
35:21The smishing deals with an SMS text that is sent to your phone.
35:26And you'll get a text message telling you or prompting you that you have some problem with your ABM card
35:33and you need to have it addressed immediately.
35:35So, an SMS will be sent to your phone, encouraging you to click.
35:43Now, once you click on that link, you give control to your card to the fraudsters.
35:51So, before you could go into your bank to find out, well, what is happening,
35:54you would find that you have been depleted.
35:58All your money has gone.
35:59So, what we encourage persons to do, to protect themselves, first of all,
36:07they need to be in regular contact with their bankers.
36:10Your bankers give guidelines of how to protect your card.
36:16The Banking Association of Trinidad and Tobago, under which all the local banks fall under,
36:22give daily guidelines to account holders.
36:27But persons receive these texts.
36:30I have received a text also.
36:34But what stood out for me is that it directed me to a particular bank.
36:38Yes.
36:39Which shall remain unnamed.
36:40Right.
36:40But I am not a member of that bank.
36:42Oh, wow.
36:43That's interesting.
36:44But there are thousands of persons who are account holders of these banks.
36:50And some non-new eyes will click on the link.
36:53But also, Inspector, if you can clarify, I know sometimes when they send you a link,
36:58there's sometimes a misspelling of something that looks very strange or peculiar that triggers,
37:06is this really the website or is this spelling correct?
37:09You can speak to that, yeah?
37:11Right.
37:11So that is why I want to encourage account holders to be familiar with their bankers,
37:18not only going into the bank to do transactions,
37:22but to be familiar with the online processes,
37:24be familiar with the online and the website, the address, the email addresses.
37:30Because one letter will change a valid email address.
37:35And sometimes a person might just see the first five, six letters resembling a legitimate banking association.
37:46But because it is fraudulent, the last couple of letters are a symbol.
37:53Yes.
37:53And the whole website is a different website.
37:57And you click and you have gone onto something else, into the domain of the fraudsters.
38:03All right.
38:04Well, we are hopeful that persons will be cognizant of these things that Inspector Francis pointed out in relation to the website,
38:13the spelling.
38:14You know, if you get a text message that you are unfamiliar with or you are not sure of,
38:19please do not click on that link.
38:22Because once you click on that link, as Inspector Francis pointed out,
38:26your information as good as gone as well as your money, yeah?
38:29Correct.
38:29Also, we want to advise members of the public, when they are going to use their ABM cards,
38:36you have to choose your surroundings carefully.
38:40So, sometimes you might go to an ATM location and it appears to be a little dilapidated.
38:50Or I would even say abandoned.
38:52Right.
38:52Go to an area that is highly visible, full of cameras, a lot of lights and stuff like that.
39:02Because you are trying to make yourself a small target for these fraudsters.
39:08Also, when you go into the ATM area, carefully examine the keypad area.
39:13Make sure that there is no strange or foreign device in or around the keypad area.
39:20Or protruding from the slot area where your card has to go.
39:24Usually, I check it.
39:25I shake it vigorously.
39:27I even look for, I understand, you even place small hidden cameras.
39:31Yes.
39:31To see your pin.
39:32Correct.
39:32So, I always look for all those things.
39:34I play with the knobs on the pad because they say they put a pad on top of that.
39:39That can also capture your pin.
39:43You're correct.
39:43Well, I thought it was, I thought it was I alone used to do that.
39:47I know.
39:48You have to be particular.
39:49Sometimes, just shake people might be wondering if you're trying to get into the ATM.
39:52Yeah.
39:53But because you know of what exists, you have to protect yourself.
39:57Yes.
39:58Now, in the event that you should see some strange object that doesn't seem to be part of the whole arrangement of the ATM,
40:06you contact the bank, you don't try to remove it yourself.
40:11You contact the bank and you look at them as to what you observe, and they will send somebody to come and verify and inspect,
40:19to make sure that it is not part of the setup of the bank.
40:26Right.
40:27Also, there's the small, what you could do, small security measures.
40:34When you are typing in your pin, you could use your other hand to shield because persons try to capture your pin by coming too close and peeping over your shoulder.
40:46And some persons are so focused on withdrawing that sum of money, they didn't observe that somebody just saw the phone numbers you typed in.
40:57Also, you want to make sure that if there are strange persons are wrong, you could kindly ask them to step back, or if you're not comfortable, go to another ATM.
41:12All of these measures to take because we have the ATM cards, and we are the first line of defense to ensure that we do not fall or become a victim of these ABM fraudsters.
41:27All right, certainly.
41:29All right, so we're going to take a short break, and when we get back, we'll obviously take your calls, and we'll talk more about investment fraud and land fraud.
41:36Stay with us.
41:49There's a powerful switch inside your body, AMPK.
41:53It tells your system to burn fat, balance blood sugar, and boost energy.
41:58Berberine Plus activates AMPK naturally, supporting metabolism, weight management, and healthy insulin function.
42:07Available now at Pennywise and leading pharmacies nationwide.
42:12Berberine Plus, powered by AMPK.
42:15Perfected by nature.
42:16Get the best in affordable eyewear frames with blue filter lenses and eye exam.
42:24Single vision lenses with transitions on designer frames.
42:27Progressive transitions with designer frames.
42:29Happening only at CV Optical.
42:31Affordable eye care for everyone.
42:33That's huge.
42:57That's huge.
42:57That's huge.
42:57That's huge.
43:02There it is a piggy.
43:05It's all of you.
43:28There it is.
43:30I wrote C because life is precious plus I can't afford to pay another speeding ticket.
43:53A message from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
44:09Welcome back to Beyond the Tape. I'm your host, Mark Besson, joined today by Inspector Marvin Francis of the Fraud Squad of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
44:17We are talking about fraud and obviously another big one on the list is investment fraud, Inspector.
44:24Yes, definitely. We have seen an increase in this particular offense.
44:29And so you might ask, well, what is investment fraud?
44:32Investment fraud is when somebody basically deceives another person into investing into a scheme that provides false promises, misleading information,
44:44or it often promises high returns in a quick time with a low deposit.
44:54But the end result is to capture or steal the money of the person who is making that investment.
45:01So some of the key points about investment fraud, it is misleading because it offers false promises.
45:08And persons, because of their situation, they tend to believe these issues.
45:16So you see an ad saying that you could deposit $2,000.
45:21Yes.
45:22And in two weeks you'll get back, or even less than two weeks, you'll get $20,000.
45:28And some persons will jump at that opportunity.
45:30And when they make that so-called investment, and they're waiting for the time frame to get that return,
45:39they'll realize that they could no longer get in contact with that person,
45:43or the person just stopped answering the calls because they have just been fleeced of their money.
45:50Or they also use stolen tactics.
45:52Also stolen tactics because they don't want you to run to make any report.
46:00And especially when there are some of the ads showing where some person saying that, well, I got money.
46:08Yes.
46:09So they're stolen, and that person is hoping that their turn will come to get their money.
46:16So have you all seen that, I mean, what you're describing is pretty much like Ponzi scheme, like similar.
46:23Where, you know, you tell a man, hey, I invest $10,000, and, you know, for some strange reason,
46:30the person might tell you to say, hey, I get through.
46:32Might get a little cut on his side.
46:34And then they introduce more and more people.
46:37Are you all seen that prevalence of that kind of, the Ponzi schemes, the crypto schemes,
46:42and other things building on the digital platforms?
46:45Now, the Ponzi scheme was not so much up to date as before.
46:52Right.
46:53What we see now is the promise of the cryptocurrency.
46:57Right.
46:58Persons to invest to get high returns of this cryptocurrency.
47:04So the Ponzi scheme, the pyramid schemes, you don't see that prevalence that much.
47:09Right.
47:09So what we want to, what we encourage persons to do, to be familiar, how do we protect ourselves?
47:20We have authorized bodies, authorized agencies when it comes to any sort of investment.
47:28We have the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.
47:30We have the Trinidad and Tobago Security Exchange Commission.
47:33We even have the Financial Investigative Bureau, FIB.
47:39Yes.
47:40So if we have concern when it comes to any sort of investment, we get in contact with these agencies.
47:49So when you do that, you verify thoroughly who is the person you're doing this investment with,
47:56if they are regularized or authorized to do any sort of investment or to collect money for any sort of investment.
48:03All right.
48:05Also, we encourage persons to consult with a legitimate financial consultant or an advisor before you part with any money for any sort of investment.
48:17Have you seen this particular investment fraud become a growing concern to Trinidad and Tobago?
48:29And, of course, those persons who want to get rich quickly.
48:32And if you can, just an example, just without calling names, you know, how many persons you would have seen affected, let's say, over the last year or two years by these particular kinds of investment frauds?
48:45Well, I must mention that between the 1st of January 2025 to the 27th of June 2025, we had approximately 19 reports.
49:00Right.
49:01And the figures in this report is approximately $2.4 million.
49:10That's just 19 people.
49:13Right.
49:13Now, the thing about this type of scheme is that there are many more persons who are victims.
49:21But as we said before, persons are waiting because they are being stalled or they are hoping or waiting to get their returns also.
49:33But the fact of the matter is all the fraudsters, because that is who they are, what they are interested in is capturing your money.
49:42So, if they get $1,000 or $2,000 from hundreds or even thousands of people, they are making a high return for themselves whilst putting innocent people out of pocket.
49:56I think some people are also very hesitant to report these matters because of, you know, particular persons have associations with particular nefarious elements.
50:08So, they tell them if you do this, something will happen.
50:12And I think a lot of people are very intimidated by that.
50:15And that's why a lot of people don't want to come forward as well, risking the loss of their money or even risking loss or injury to their family.
50:23And you are so right with that, Mark.
50:28Because one of the things that we deal with in the TTPS, not only the prevalence of crime, but they see that what you call the fear of crime.
50:39It is a real thing.
50:40And some persons will quicker give up that $2,000 than to go and make a report if it would mean that they would suffer some harm or some harm might come to their family.
50:53Because once these fraudsters start to accumulate money, they attract other sort of criminal activities.
51:01So, there will be persons affiliated with firearms and stuff like that, being involved.
51:09So, they will threaten the persons when they realize they're not getting any investment.
51:15If you make a report, this could happen.
51:19So, that is why we notice, based on what we see being advertised on social media with this investment fraud,
51:26the amount, the limited amount of persons who have made a report.
51:32Because I believe that there are several other persons who have been victims, who have been fleeced of their money,
51:40who have not made a report as yet.
51:42All right.
51:42Well, what we can do is encourage those persons in some form or fashion to report the matter.
51:48Don't wait for things to get worse.
51:51Because I know there's a particular instance right now where thousands of persons are affected.
51:57And, you know, I've just spoken to at least 50 or 60 of them already.
52:01And I know there are many more.
52:03But we want to urge you to make that particular report to the Fraud Squad, as the case may be,
52:08or to the Intelligence Division, who I understand is also looking into those kinds of fraud.
52:14All right.
52:14So, we're going to take a short break.
52:15And when we get back, we'll have more.
52:17Stay with us.
52:17What if your best hair day was every day?
52:33L-Vive Hyaluron Plus Plump with hyaluronic acid.
52:36Two times more hydration transforms your hair for up to 72 hours.
52:41Work that balance.
52:42L-Vive Hyaluron Plus Plump by Loral Paris.
52:44You're worth it.
52:45The ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League ignites from the 10th to the 18th of July.
52:52From the lush heart of Guyana, the mighty Amazon Warriors defend their turf.
52:56Oh, that's it.
52:57He's done it.
52:58You little beauty.
53:00While the reigning champions, the Ragpoll Riders, return to stake their claim again.
53:05They're joined by champions from around the world.
53:09The Hobart Hurricanes from Australia.
53:11The Dubai Capitals from the UAE.
53:14And New Zealand's pride.
53:15The Central Stags.
53:17Five teams.
53:19One title.
53:20One unforgettable showdown.
53:21Locked away a leg side and it flies for six.
53:25In a land as breathtaking as the game is fierce.
53:28Legends will rise.
53:30Catch the action.
53:31Feel the pride.
53:32Pride in Guyana.
53:40Thank you, members of the media.
53:42This concludes our weekly press briefing.
53:45As the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service continues to protect and serve with pride, we are calling
53:53on all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to get on board with us to ensure that everyone is able to live in a crime-free society.
54:04Are you on board?
54:08This is my country and I am on board.
54:11I am on board with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
54:16Let us save the youth of the nation.
54:18Get on board.
54:19Crime affects all of us.
54:21Children, communities, and the country as a whole.
54:24Supporting crime victims and working with the police service, I am on board.
54:30This is my country and I am on board.
54:32My name is Nikolai Blackmon and I am on board with the TTPS.
54:38Vision on Mission is proud to partner with the TTPS because crime prevention is everybody's business.
54:46We are the National Congress of Incorporated Spiritual Baptist Organizations of Trinidad and Tobago.
54:51And we are on board with the TTPS in its fight against crime.
54:56I am a farmer.
54:57This is my country.
54:58And I am on board.
54:59I am Charles Jason Gordon, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Port of Spain.
55:04I am on board in the TTPS fight against crime.
55:08We are all on board.
55:26Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
55:27I am your host, Mark Boussant, here with Inspector Marvin Francis of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Fraud Squad.
55:33And we just want to quickly give you some information on land fraud.
55:38Yes.
55:39Now, land fraud involves various schemes to illegally acquire or transfer ownership of land.
55:47And usually, this is done through forgery and it includes deed fraud.
55:53So, there are persons who use fraudulent deeds to get property.
56:00Now, the type of land fraud, there's the deed fraud and the vacant land schemes.
56:06So, what persons do, they will target property that appears to be abandoned.
56:12Yeah.
56:13They will get information as to who is the genuine owner of that property.
56:18And then, they will get documents.
56:22They will forge a deed saying that John Brung, who is the name of the original owner, sold the property to Jim Blue.
56:31Right.
56:32And Jim Blue is now selling the property to somebody else.
56:35But all of this will have been done through fraudulent means.
56:41Now, how would you prevent, or how do you prevent land fraud?
56:45There's an article in the papers from 2024, given by the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
56:53Yes, I remember reading that, yes.
56:54Right.
56:54And I'll just read two lines.
56:55It says, owners should take steps to protect their identity and property, especially when they, A, do not live on the property being sold, or, B, reside abroad.
57:09By not supplying any personal information or identification documentation to any person other than a real estate agent.
57:17So, based on that advice from the Law Association, persons are not to give up their information.
57:27And then, there's something else called due diligence.
57:31So, you interested in purchasing property, I would advise you to hire somebody who could seek your interest.
57:41An attorney at law is one such example.
57:44And they will be able to do all the proper checks, all the paperwork in relation to property.
57:53Because too many times, persons lose their property or lose their money.
58:00And the matter sometimes ends up having to be in the court, to be adjudicated by the court.
58:04All because time was not taken to make the proper checks.
58:09And sometimes, in instances, after persons have parted with their large sums of money, then they want to do the checks and follow-ups.
58:19All right, so.
58:21All right.
58:21Thanks so much, Inspector.
58:23I know that there are people that facilitate this in various government offices.
58:28You know, there are other persons and major players.
58:30But we are hopeful that with time, we will be able to stamp that out.
58:34All right.
58:35Remember, repeat tonight at 11.30.
58:37We run tomorrow at 11 o'clock.
58:39The TV6 News is up next.
58:41And we'll see you tomorrow at 6.
58:42Stay with us.
58:43We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:49We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:50We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:51We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:52We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:52We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:53We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:53We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:54We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:55We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:56We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:57We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:58We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
58:59We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
59:00We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
59:01We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
59:02We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
59:03We'll see you tomorrow at 11.30.
Comments