Gov’t issues cybersecurity warning amid rising WhatsApp scams

The Virgin Islands government has issued an alert to the public about social engineering attacks targeting WhatsApp users locally.

The government has urged residents to remain vigilant against these cyberattacks, cautioning the public to verify unknown numbers and avoid sharing sensitive information over WhatsApp. Individuals are advised to block and delete suspicious contacts immediately and to exercise caution when opening links. The government also recommends using multifactor authentication to enhance account security and reporting any suspicious activity to authorities.

This is a manipulation technique used to trick individuals into sending funds, compromising their security, and revealing private information, the government explained. Officials warned that cyber-attackers often pose as familiar contacts or government officials, using fear and urgency to deceive victims.