A link which resembles a media report has surfaced on the internet and social media. The media report makes claims insinuating that the Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon. Andrew A Fahie is involved in the investment of cryptocurrency.

The Government of the Virgin Islands have issued a statement denouncing the fake media report.

The link is designed to give the appearance that it emanates from a media house in the Virgin Islands and bears the following headline: “SPECIAL REPORT: Andrew Fahie’s Latest Investment Has The Government And Big Banks Terrified”.

The fake article portrays the Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Andrew A. Fahie, as promoting – especially to Virgin Islands citizens – some kind of cryptocurrency wealth loophole that is guaranteed to transform anyone into a millionaire within 3-4 months, among a host of other claims.

Article is a fabrication - Hon Fahie

Hon. Andrew Fahie said, “The national and international community are advised that the entire purported article is a fabrication. It is fake news. No such interview, as stated in the item, was conducted by the Premier – whether with NEWS2 NEWSCASE, the BBC or any local news media. All the quotes attributed to the Premier are fake and fraudulent. No such financial investment programme as promoted by the fake article exists in the Virgin Islands.”

Premier Fahie continued, “Contrary to that fake report, I am not engaging in trying “anything” or am I in discussions with anyone regarding cryptocurrency.  The British Virgin Islands adopted the US dollar as its currency in 1959 and have made no commitments to replace it as the official currency in any form.”

Premier Fahie urged members of the public to be mindful of electronic defamation. He asked persons to exercise caution as the webpage and the domain linked to the fake news post have characteristics that are usually associated with online scams that can affect computer and mobile phones with viruses and other malware.

Persons must be mindful of malicious software that can lead to theft of data such as personal photos, friends and business associates’ contact information from your electronic address book, banking information and more. It can also lead to identity theft.

The consequences for persons who fall victim to the possible scam which is being hidden within this fake news and fake websites can be devastating.

In one of the fake news articles with the headline, “SPECIAL REPORT: Andrew Fahie’s Latest Investment Has The Government And Big Banks Terrified,” it shows Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) as the source.

Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) has never published any article relating to the subject and it should be noted that phishing campaigns are designed to steal data and information in addition to defraud victims.

Premier Fahie also debunked the article as completely fake.

"The fake article portrays the Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Andrew A. Fahie, as promoting – especially to Virgin Islands citizens – some kind of cryptocurrency wealth loophole that is guaranteed to transform anyone into a millionaire within 3-4 months, among a host of other claims.

"The national and international community are advised that the entire purported article is a fabrication," he said in a statement on July 2, 2020.

Premier Fahie also warned that electronic defamation is real and therefore, persons must exercise caution as the webpage and the domain linked to the fake news post have the characteristics of an online scam that can affect computer sand mobile phones with viruses and other malware.

Beware of Viruses & Malware

He said, additionally, malicious software can lead to theft of data such as personal photos, friends and business associates’ contact information from your electronic address book, banking information and more.

"It can also lead to identity theft. It is unfortunate that persons would find time to engage in a malicious smear tactics and fabricate stories to deliberately misinform the public about the work of the Government of the Virgin Islands, and worse yet to prey on unsuspecting, innocent persons by piquing their curiosity with fake, sensational publications."

The Premier has also urged the community to avoid the articles as much as possible and to do their part conveying the message that it is fake, especially to to family, friends, co-workers and the wider public.