Public Urged to Remain Vigilant as Fake SMS and Google Meet Scams Continue

The Cyber Security Office (CSO), within the Ministry of Social Development and Innovation, is renewing its warning to the public as scammers continue to impersonate Cayman Islands Government entities through fraudulent SMS text messages, Google Meet calls and fake government websites.

The scams remain active and increasingly use deceptive “look-alike” websites, including sites presented as “My-EGOV”, which are designed to mimic official government websites. Members of the public who engage with these fraudulent sites risk having their personal information and payment card details stolen.

The CSO is reminding the public that the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) and Cayman Islands Government entities will not request payment of traffic fines or other government fees through unsolicited text messages, payment links or video calls. Government entities will also not request personal or banking information through these unsolicited channels.

Members of the public who receive a suspicious message or communication are advised to:

• Delete the message and do not respond or click any links.
• Contact their bank immediately if they have clicked a link, provided personal or banking information, or made a payment.
• Report the incident to the RCIPS at 949-4222, or call 911 in an emergency.

The public is encouraged to stop, check and verify before responding to unexpected communications claiming to be from a government entity. Look-alike websites can be convincing, so users should carefully check website addresses and, when in doubt, independently verify the request through an official government channel before taking any action.

The CSO is also encouraging members of the public to share this warning with family, friends and colleagues, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to scams.

For more information and guidance on identifying misinformation and fraudulent communications, visit gov.ky/misinformation.