Bermuda health officials warn businesses of fraudulent notices demanding cryptocurrency payments
Key Points(5)
- Bermuda's Department of Health has issued a warning to businesses and the public about a fraudulent email and document circulating on the island that falsely claims to be from the department's Environmental Health Section.
- According to a statement issued on November 8, the fraudulent notice accuses businesses of public health violations and demands payment of an administrative fine in cryptocurrency, specifically USDC, through the Solana blockchain network.
- It also threatens to shut down establishments within 24 hours if payment is not made.
- Minister of Health Kim Wilson emphasized that the document is not legitimate and urged businesses to remain vigilant.
- “We want to make it absolutely clear that this notice is fraudulent and was not issued by the Department of Health, the Department of Public Health, or the Environmental Health Section,” Wilson said.
Bermuda's Department of Health has issued a warning to businesses and the public about a fraudulent email and document circulating on the island that falsely claims to be from the department's Environmental Health Section.
According to a statement issued on November 8, the fraudulent notice accuses businesses of public health violations and demands payment of an administrative fine in cryptocurrency, specifically USDC, through the Solana blockchain network. It also threatens to shut down establishments within 24 hours if payment is not made.
Minister of Health Kim Wilson emphasized that the document is not legitimate and urged businesses to remain vigilant.
“We want to make it absolutely clear that this notice is fraudulent and was not issued by the Department of Health, the Department of Public Health, or the Environmental Health Section,” Wilson said.
The department stressed that legitimate Government of Bermuda enforcement notices never require payments in cryptocurrency or transfers to digital wallet addresses.
Officials identified several warning signs associated with the scam, including demands for cryptocurrency payments, threats of immediate business closures, instructions to send payment confirmations to unofficial email addresses and attempts to pressure recipients into paying quickly to avoid public disclosure.
Wilson encouraged business owners to carefully examine any unsolicited communication claiming to originate from government departments, particularly the sender's email address.
“Official correspondence from the Government of Bermuda is issued through authorised Government email accounts ending in @gov.bm. Recipients should be cautious of messages sent from personal or non-government email addresses that purport to represent Government officials or departments,” she said.
Businesses receiving suspicious notices are advised not to make payments or respond to the sender. Instead, they should preserve the email and any attachments and report the matter to the Bermuda Police Service Cybercrime Unit.
The department also warned recipients against scanning QR codes, clicking links or following payment instructions contained in suspicious communications, as these actions could expose them to fraud or other cybercrime.
Businesses are further encouraged to contact the Environmental Health Section directly to verify the authenticity of inspection notices or enforcement actions.
The department reminded business owners that legitimate Environmental Health Officers should be able to present official identification during inspections. Anyone uncertain about an officer's identity, whether during an in-person visit or telephone call, can contact the department at 246-7766 for verification.
Health officials are urging businesses and residents to remain alert and independently verify unusual requests for payment or government enforcement action.
