Thu, 2010-12-23

Text Scam - Over the past several days the Bermuda Police Service Financial Crime Unit has received hundreds of calls and e-mails from Bermuda residents who have all received a promotion text message from Nokia. 

The text message, allegedly from a ‘Nokia representative’, tells recipients that they have been selected as a prize winner, in the ‘Nokia end of year mobile promo’ to celebrate Nokia’s 144th anniversary. It is difficult for Police to investigate these types of text messages as the suspects use pre-paid cell phones which cannot be traced and they use free online e-mail addresses such as Hotmail and G-mail which can be created in any name.

These text messages are sent out by the thousands and the culprits simply download telephone numbers from online telephone directories; in other words those receiving the text message have not been individually targeted by the scammers. Advanced fee scams involve the victims sending money in order to obtain fictitious awards or inheritance.

Once again, members of the public are advised to be extremely cautious when sending funds to persons who have contacted them unexpectedly, especially via text message or to persons whose identity cannot be properly established.

Burglary

Around 7pm on Wednesday, Police received a report of a burglary at a Bob’s Valley Lane, Sandys residence. It appears that sometime between 7:30am and 5:15pm on Wednesday, an unknown culprit gained entry into the home. The culprit stole a black X-Box 360, a grey PlayStation 2 and several games. Inquiries into this incident are underway.

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