Detectives with the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) are warning residents to stay vigilant amid a rise in sophisticated phone scams targeting bank customers, including members of the county’s large Caribbean-American community.
In recent months, BSO’s Pompano Beach District has received more than a dozen reports from victims who were duped by scammers posing as bank fraud investigators. In one case, a victim was persuaded to hand over $15,000 in cash. In another, a couple surrendered their debit cards and PINs, resulting in more than $9,000 in unauthorized charges.
According to investigators, the scam typically involves a phone call from someone claiming to be from the victim’s bank. The caller warns of suspicious account activity and insists that immediate action is needed. Victims are then instructed to withdraw large sums of cash or hand over their debit cards and PINs. In several cases, scammers even arranged for Ubers to collect the money or cards, telling victims to place the envelope in the back seat without speaking to the driver.
BSO officials emphasized that no legitimate bank will ever request cash withdrawals or ask for cards and PINs to be sent through a ride-share service.
The warning is especially relevant in Broward, which is home to one of the largest Caribbean-American populations in the United States. Cities like Lauderdale Lakes, Miramar, and North Lauderdale have strong Jamaican, Haitian, Trinidadian, and other West Indian communities—some neighborhoods reporting up to 25% West Indian ancestry.
Scams like these are also well-known across the Caribbean region. In countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, phone scams involving bogus bank calls, prize winnings, and WhatsApp hijackings have become increasingly common. According to Global Financial Integrity, financial fraud in the Caribbean is widespread and often underreported, with scams costing individuals and businesses hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
“Many of these scammers use the same tactics across borders,” said a tech expert. “And immigrant communities with relatives overseas may be more vulnerable, especially if they’re already familiar with similar schemes in their home countries.”
Authorities are urging residents to hang up on suspicious calls and to contact their bank directly using a verified number. Anyone in a BSO jurisdiction who believes they may have been targeted is encouraged to call the non-emergency line at 954-764-4357.
