Prime Minister Gaston Browne has sounded a urgent public warning after a deceptive investment promotional video surfaced fraudulently using his official image to mislead potential investors. The prime minister’s office confirmed this week that the clip, which has begun circulating across multiple social media platforms and private messaging channels, was produced without any authorization from Browne or his government, and does not reflect any official initiative endorsed by the administration.
In an official statement released to the press, Browne emphasized that the fraudulent video is part of a growing scam targeting members of the public, both domestically and among diaspora communities overseas. The clip falsely implies that Browne personally backs the unregulated investment scheme, which experts say is likely designed to convince victims to transfer thousands of dollars in savings to criminal operators with no promise of return.
The prime minister urged all citizens and social media users to exercise extreme caution when encountering investment content that appears to feature public officials, reminding the public that government leaders never personally endorse private investment offers through unsolicited social media content. He called on anyone who has received the video to avoid clicking any embedded links, refrain from sharing it with their contacts, and report the content to local cybercrime authorities immediately.
Law enforcement officials have also confirmed they have launched an investigation into the origin of the fake video, noting that deepfake technology has made it increasingly easy for scammers to create convincing fraudulent content that exploits public trust in government figures. Officials added that anyone who has already shared personal or financial information in response to the scam should contact their financial institutions to protect their accounts as soon as possible.