The Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission published Investor Alert No. 3 warning that investment scams are increasing and becoming more sophisticated, and urging the public to remain cautious when approached with investment opportunities. The alert follows earlier TTSEC warnings issued in November 2024 and February 2025 and reiterates that investing with an individual or entity that is not registered under the Securities Act Chapter 83:02 can result in the loss of the entire investment. TTSEC highlighted common warning signs and newer tactics, including fake social media profiles, promises of unrealistic returns, and moving conversations to private messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Telegram where scammers pose as “investment representatives”. The alert also points to pressure to make urgent deposits, initial claims of fee-free and fast withdrawals, fabricated “investment platforms” showing exaggerated balances, and the use of artificial intelligence to impersonate public officials or institutions through convincing documents and media. Other red flags include demands for “withdrawal fees” sometimes exceeding TTD 1,000, requests for sensitive personal and banking data, routing funds through money transfer services that could implicate victims in money laundering, staged testimonials, persistent harassment, and scammers cutting off communication when refunds are requested.
Trinidad & Tobago Securities & Exchange Commission 2025-06-26
Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission issues third investor alert on evolving investment scam tactics
The Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission issued Investor Alert No. 3, warning of increasingly sophisticated investment scams and urging caution with unregistered entities under the Securities Act Chapter 83:02. The alert highlights tactics such as fake social media profiles, unrealistic return promises, and the use of AI to impersonate officials, alongside red flags like urgent deposit pressures and demands for withdrawal fees.