The Brunei Darussalam Central Bank’s (BDCB) and Cyber Security Brunei’s (CSB) yesterday said a fake video has been circulating with regards to Brunei currency notes.
As such, the BDCB reminded the public, it is an offence for any person to issue any Brunei currency notes or coins, or any document or token, which resembles or is likely to pass as legal tender.
Any person who contravenes Section 13 of the Currency Order 2004 is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 years, or both, it added.
The central bank also said it is also a criminal offence under Chapter 22 of the Penal Code to possess forged or counterfeit currency notes or banknotes, knowing or having reason to believe the same to be forged or counterfeit, and intending to use the same as genuine.
“The offence is punishable upon conviction with a fine and imprisonment up to a maximum period of 10 years,” it added.
BDCB and CSB advised the public to exercise caution when engaging in any schemes or financial transactions, especially those offered on social media platforms.
Individuals should be cautious about giving out personal information and refrain from responding to questions without properly verifying the identity of the person requesting it.
If the entity is based outside of the Sultanate, the public should check with the overseas authority if it is regulated.
Public are advised to only deal with entities that are regulated by BDCB. Those who choose to deal with unlicenced and unregulated entities offering financial services or products may not have the protection by BDCB which aims to safeguard the interests of financial consumers.
The public can find more information at BDCB’s website for a list of BDCB licencees as well as BDCB’s alert list for entities that are neither authorised nor approved under the relevant laws and regulations.
Any suspicious financial activities should be reported to BDCB’s Financial Consumer issues at 2380007/8380007 or e-mail fci@bdcb.gov.bn.
For suspicious activities found on social media individuals are advised to report directly to the social media service, and to CSB via Brunei Computer Emergency Response Team (BruCERT) hotline 2458001, e-mail reporting@brucert.org.bn or WhatsApp 7170766.
The public inadvertently or unintentionally in possession of counterfeit notes or have fallen victim to scams is reminded to lodge a report to the Royal Brunel Police Force immediately.
