The Isle of Man Government is warning members of the public to remain vigilant amid an increase in scam posts circulating on social media platforms.
A recent example, shared on Facebook, falsely attributes a quote to Jane Poole Wilson MHK, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs. It suggests she is talking to a journalist from Isle of Man Today about a government bond platform. The post did not originate from the Minister or the Government.
Another scam offers people the chance to earn ‘500 GBP to 1300 GBP per day by using trading platform’. It says ‘Registration for the Isle of Man is now open’.
This follows previous scam activity in which artificial intelligence (AI)generated footage was used to falsely suggest the Chief Minister, Alfred Cannan MHK, was endorsing a financial product.
These scams are designed to appear credible and exploit public trust in well-known individuals and official titles.
The Department of Home Affairs is reminding residents that Ministers and government officials never use their position to publicly promote investment opportunities, financial products, giveaways or schemes via social media posts or unsolicited links.
Mike Haywood, the Director of the Government’s Cyber Security Centre, said:
‘Scammers are increasingly using sophisticated techniques, including AI-generated images, video and fabricated quotes, to make posts appear authentic.
‘People should be cautious of content that creates a sense of urgency, promises guaranteed returns or asks for personal or financial information. If something looks unusual or seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is.’
At least £1.2m was lost in investment scams in the Isle of Man in 2024 based on reports made by victims, but it is known these scams are vastly under-reported.
Members of the public are encouraged to:
- Be cautious of posts or advertisements using the names or images of politicians
- Avoid clicking on links or sharing posts before verifying their source
- Never provide personal, banking or login details in response to social media content
- Check official Government channels if unsure about the legitimacy of a claim
Anyone who encounters suspected scam content is urged to report it using the Isle of Man Government Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Concerns Online Reporting Form.
Reports help authorities monitor emerging threats, take action where possible, and protect others from harm.
The Isle of Man Government will continue to work with partners and platforms to raise awareness and reduce the impact of online scams, and thanks the public for remaining alert and reporting suspicious activity.
