On July 18th, five residents of the Isle of Youth reported being victims of a large-scale scam involving bank transfers, which resulted in losses exceeding 300,000 pesos. Despite having the alleged perpetrator's information, the victims claim the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) failed to take decisive action.
Arianna Benítez Sánchez, one of those affected, shared her experience on the Facebook group "360 Isla de la Juventud Compra, Venta Cuba." She revealed she lost 100,000 pesos, while the other victims suffered losses of 80,000, 110,000, and 30,000 pesos, collectively surpassing 300,000 pesos.
"Several of us were scammed on the same day, and we all went to the PNR. We have the phone number and the card details where all the transfers were made, and the scammer is still online. We've tried staying in touch to help the PNR take action with all the information we have, but since it wasn't a state institution that lost money, clearly nothing will happen," Benítez wrote.
The five individuals filed their complaint together, yet according to their account, the only response they received was a statement recording. They were not informed about the legal timeframe for the investigation's progress.
"The state's failure is why people are desperately seeking cash. The state's incompetence allows fraudsters to exploit people's needs. How long must we endure a system that fails its citizens?" questioned the complainant.
The post sparked a wave of reactions from other users who reported experiencing similar scams.
One user recounted losing 367,900 pesos two weeks ago. "I provided conversations, phone records, transactions, the account involved in the scam, and I'm still waiting for any updates," he wrote.
Another user claimed to have been scammed out of 72,000 pesos and shared screenshots with the alleged recipient's card number and name.
Many comments highlighted a perceived lack of response from authorities regarding such crimes.
"The police on the island have had all the necessary information to act on these scams for a long time and have done nothing," one Cuban stated. Similarly, another user commented, "If the scam targeted a state sector, they would resolve it quickly."
Identity Fraud Tactics and Institutional Barriers
According to the shared accounts, one common scam method involves identity theft via WhatsApp. Criminals gain access to a victim's family or friend's phone number and urgently request transfers, pretending to be that person.
Victims also reported an institutional gap that complicates recovering the stolen money. While the PNR stalls investigations, banks claim they cannot disclose a cardholder's identity without a police order, and ETECSA withholds information without judicial authorization. Moreover, transfers made through Transfermóvil and EnZona are practically irreversible without a court ruling.
This surge in fraudulent activity comes amid Cuba's severe cash crisis. The shortage of circulating money has forced millions to rely on electronic payment platforms for daily transactions, a situation scammers are exploiting. In the informal market, obtaining cash through a transfer can lead to losses of up to 40% of the sent amount.
The problem's magnitude was also evident in the account of intellectual Alina Bárbara López Hernández. She reported witnessing a steady stream of citizens arriving at a Matanzas police station on the same Saturday to report scams involving bank transfers.
Amidst the numerous comments generated by the complaint, one of the most shared was from user Yanet Vázquez Cruz: "For the dictatorship, the only crime worthy of attention and punishment is thinking differently, everything else is trivial."
Understanding Bank Transfer Scams in Cuba
What actions have the victims taken to address the scam?
The victims have reported the incidents to the National Revolutionary Police and shared detailed information about the scammer, including phone numbers and card details. However, they claim the authorities have not taken significant steps to address the issue.
What challenges do victims face in recovering their money?
Victims encounter institutional barriers such as the inability of banks to disclose cardholder identities without police orders, ETECSA's refusal to provide information without judicial consent, and the irreversibility of transfers via electronic payment platforms without a court resolution.
How has the economic situation in Cuba contributed to these scams?
The severe cash shortage in Cuba has driven many to depend on electronic payment methods for everyday transactions. This dependency has created opportunities for scammers to exploit the electronic payment system, leading to an increase in fraudulent activities.