suspected Nigerian nationals who are in the country illegally as well as some out of Guyana, are working with local accomplices to carry out scams and pyramid schemes on unsuspecting persons.
Karimbaksh indicated that “Package Delivery” and “Romance” scams became more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic as scammers targeted primarily women via several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, as well as online dating sites.
He explained that the modus operandi used by the scammers is to befriend unsuspecting women on social media using fake profiles, after communicating with the victim for some time to build trust with them, the scammer promises packages containing valuable gift items, such as designer clothing, jewellery, televisions, cell phones, other electronic devices and money.
The victim is usually contacted by a local associate of the scammer, confirming the arrival of the package and requesting their personal contact and other information. The intended victim is subsequently contacted again and requested to deposit money to a specified local Bank Account or send via a Money Transfer Agency or the Guyana Post Office Corporation.
