NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of Economic Affairs has warned that a fraudulent website is falsely using the name and likeness of Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis to promote a fake government-backed investment scheme, prompting renewed warnings from officials amid a surge in digital fraud targeting the Bahamian public.
In a statement issued Tuesday night, the Ministry of Economic Affairs confirmed that a fraudulent website is circulating on social media, purporting to be endorsed by Minister Halkitis and offering supposed government payouts.
“This message was not sent by the Minister, nor is he in any way affiliated with this group or the services they claim to be offering,” the statement read. “It is very likely a website created with malicious intent.”
The Ministry strongly urged the public not to share personal information or send money to any accounts associated with the scam. It also asked individuals to report suspicious links, ads, or messages through the platforms where they appear. The incident has been referred to the Royal Bahamas Police Force for further investigation.
“If your personal or financial information may have been compromised, we encourage you to take immediate action and contact the relevant authorities,” the Ministry added.
The incident is the latest in a growing wave of digital scams, many of which leverage artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to impersonate high-profile officials and mislead the public.
Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe recently noted the government is developing a national strategy to regulate the responsible use of artificial intelligence in The Bahamas, including legal reforms to criminalize malicious AI use and efforts to strengthen digital identity protections.
“We’re also investing in training for government officials and frontline agencies to spot signs of AI manipulation in real time,” Munroe said during a recent press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister.
He warned that AI-generated scams are not harmless pranks but serious crimes. “Creating or distributing AI-generated deepfakes that impersonate others for the purpose of deception is illegal,” he stressed. “It violates laws on fraud, identity theft, and public mischief.”
The government’s planned strategy includes criminal penalties for the deceptive use of AI, increased cybersecurity capacity in law enforcement, enhanced collaboration with international agencies, and public education campaigns to improve awareness.
Munroe’s comments came after several high-profile deepfake videos and audio clips appeared online, falsely featuring the Prime Minister, Governor General, and Governor of the Central Bank in fake investment promotions. These fraudulent clips typically lure viewers into investing in non-existent or high-risk ventures, often involving cryptocurrency.
Central Bank Governor John Rolle has also recently raised the alarm, emphasizing that deepfake scams are becoming more convincing and widespread. He reminded the public that the Central Bank does not offer investment opportunities and warned citizens to be skeptical of any promotions that appear too good to be true.
