Trinidad and Tobago Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams in Trinidad and Tobago, with official reporting routes through TT-CSIRT and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
Emergency number: 999 (police) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Trinidad and Tobago has a digitally active population and sees a broad range of online scams including phishing, investment fraud, romance schemes and fake job ads. The TT-CSIRT (ttcsirt.gov.tt) acts as the national cybersecurity incident response team, and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) at ttps.gov.tt can be reached on 999 for urgent matters. Tourist scams in Port of Spain and Tobago typically involve unlicensed taxis and overpriced services.
Common scams
- Phishing messages impersonating banks or government agencies
- Online marketplace purchase scams with no delivery
- Investment and crypto fraud via social media
- Romance scams with escalating financial requests
Tourist-specific scams
- Unlicensed taxi overcharging at airports and resorts in Tobago
- Fake accommodation or villa booking listings
- Overpriced tours or excursions via unofficial operators
Online shopping scams
- Fake delivery and customs fee SMS messages
- Social media shop scams selling counterfeit or non-existent goods
- Account-takeover phishing via fake bank portals
Job scams
- Fake remote work ads requiring upfront registration or equipment fees
- Task scams via WhatsApp paying small sums then demanding deposits
Romance scams
- Dating-app grooming leading to fake crypto investment platforms
- Fake online partners seeking emergency money transfers
Investment scams
- Fake forex and crypto trading platforms promoted on social media
- Pig-butchering combining romance with fabricated investment portals
How to report a scam here
- Call your bank immediately to freeze affected accounts
- Report cybercrime incidents to TT-CSIRT at ttcsirt.gov.tt/report-an-incident/
- Contact the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service on 999 or via ttps.gov.tt
- Preserve all messages, screenshots and transaction receipts as evidence
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately using the official number on your card. Request an emergency hold on any fraudulent transfer. Obtain a TTPS police report number for any formal bank dispute.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
Who handles cybercrime reporting in Trinidad and Tobago?
TT-CSIRT (ttcsirt.gov.tt) is the national cyber incident response team and accepts online reports of cybercrime. For criminal investigations, the TTPS Cyber Crime and Social Media Unit handles cases; contact the TTPS via ttps.gov.tt or call 999.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance