Securities Commission Announces Pre-Valentine's Day Campaign Focused on Combatting Relationship Investment Scams

Securities Commission of The Bahamas Poinciana House North Building, 2nd Floor 31A East Bay Street P.O. Box N-8347 Nassau, The Bahamas MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Executive Director FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Christina Rolle 242-397-4100 Securities Commission Announces Pre-Valentine’s Day Campaign Focused on Combatting Relationship Investment Scams Nassau, The Bahamas, 10 February 2026 – The Securities Commission of The Bahamas (the Commission) is participating in a worldwide initiative to raise awareness about relationship investment scams and the devastating impact they can have on an investor’s financial future. These scams are called various names, including romance scams, crypto investment scams, financial grooming scams, and “pig butchering” scams. These scams involve a “long con” where fraudsters target people through wrong-number texts, dating apps, and social media over time to build trust through friendship, romance, or an offer to help them achieve their financial goals. As the world celebrates love and connection, the campaign that runs from 11 February to 14 February encourages the public to learn how to recognize relationship investment scams and share the information to warn others. Fraudsters use trust and emotional manipulation to carry out relationship investment scams, which result in victim losses estimated at $75 billion annually. Experts indicate that this figure is likely underreported. “Bahamians face the same risks, as scammers exploit online dating platforms and social media to solicit money, cryptocurrency, and investment transfers,” said Commission Executive Director, Christina Rolle. “These scams destroy both finances and trust. The Commission urges everyone to pause, verify, and report suspicious investment offers to stay safe.” Red Flags  Unsolicited investment advice and opportunities.  Conversations that are moved off social or dating platforms to encrypted messaging apps or to an unmonitored space.  A prolonged inability to meet in person.  Repeated suggestions for investments or requests for money. Protect Yourself  Ignore, delete, and block messages from senders you don’t know.  Make investment decisions independent of the advice of someone who makes unsolicited contact with you online or through an app or text message.  Research investment opportunities thoroughly.

 Protect information about your identity and personal finances.  Never pay money to recover your investment or to release funds. For more information on relationship investment scams, visit https://scb.gov.bs/investor￾centre/relationship-investment-scams/ If a scam is suspected, report scams to https://scb.gov.bs/complaints/

Editor’s Information:

1. The Relation Investment Scam campaign is an initiative of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Committee on Retail Investors (Committee 8). Information on the campaign can be found at https://www.worldinvestorweek.org/?p=ris-campaign
2. The primary mandate of Committee 8 is to conduct IOSCO’s policy work on retail investor education and financial literacy.
3. A core function of the Commission is the promotion of investor education and to protect the integrity of the financial markets against any abuses arising from financial crime.
4. In The Bahamas, promoting financial schemes is a crime under the Financial and Corporate Services Providers Act 2020.