The digital fraud landscape in Cuba is worsening, as journalist Jesús Álvarez López from the CMHW radio station in Villa Clara highlighted on Facebook. He shared his personal encounter with a scam attempt where cybercriminals impersonated a friend via a hacked WhatsApp account.
This fraudulent scheme follows a familiar pattern: scammers seize control of a WhatsApp account, posing as the rightful owner to solicit bank transfers from contacts, exploiting Cuba's persistent cash shortages.
"Electronic scams are a daily occurrence. Since this crime has even affected my family, I've become extremely cautious: I don't transfer even 10 pesos without a face-to-face conversation," Álvarez López stated in his post.
In his detailed account, the scammer, using his friend's compromised account, requested bank transfers and confirmation to a different phone number, promising to deliver cash in person.
The scam was exposed by this inconsistency: the confirmation number didn't match the real friend's contact.
Shortly after, the actual account owner sent a message: "My WhatsApp was hacked, but I’ve regained access. Don’t transfer money to anyone using my number; the police have been notified."
The post sparked a flood of similar stories from citizens, who expressed outrage at the scammers' ability to operate with impunity.
Many commenters recounted filing reports with the National Revolutionary Police, providing all relevant information—such as card numbers, phone numbers, and even the alleged scammer’s ID—without any response.
"This is the easiest crime to prove: the phone number and card number are both officially registered with ETECSA and the banks. Yet nothing is done," one participant noted.
Another was more blunt: "Even when you're scammed and provide all the details, including the account statement showing the scam's trail, it's pointless. Nobody acts."
The pressing question was echoed by many: how can the PNR, ETECSA, and state banks fail to coordinate efforts to track and apprehend these criminals in a nation with a single telecom provider and state-run banks?
One woman shared that her neighbor narrowly avoided falling victim to the same scam, only because technical issues with the bank accidentally thwarted the fraud.
Another commentator described a different tactic: they were offered liquefied gas at an attractive price and asked for personal information and a code sent via SMS. "That's when I realized it was a scam," they wrote.
The technical modus operandi is straightforward: the scammer enters the victim's number in WhatsApp, the platform sends a six-digit code via SMS, and if the victim shares it, the account is registered on another device.
Cuba's Penal Code prescribes six months to two years in prison for such crimes, but citizens are clear: "I have yet to see a significant trial addressing this issue," a commentator summarized, capturing the widespread frustration.
The Bank of Credit and Commerce (Bandec) warned in April 2026 that no legitimate transaction requires sharing this code.
Throughout the year, documented cases have surged across Cuba. In May, victims reported losses up to 70,000 pesos without police investigation; in July, five Cubans lost over 300,000 pesos in similar incidents; and in August, a Cuban woman lost the equivalent of 1,900 USD after her account was hacked.
Understanding WhatsApp Scams in Cuba
How do WhatsApp scams operate in Cuba?
Scammers take over a person's WhatsApp account, impersonate the owner, and request money transfers from their contacts, exploiting the cash shortages in Cuba.
Why is there little action from authorities against these scams?
Despite clear evidence like phone and card numbers, coordination between the National Revolutionary Police, ETECSA, and banks is lacking, resulting in little investigative action.
What should individuals do to protect themselves from such scams?
Individuals should avoid sharing verification codes and verify any transaction requests directly with the person purportedly making them, ideally through a face-to-face conversation.