How False Claims Took Hold in Saint Vincent

Introduction

In recent years, Vincentians have encountered fake banking links, WhatsApp phishing schemes, fabricated government programmes, food-safety rumours and misleading information during national emergencies. These episodes show how deception evolves with technology. Rather than inventing elaborate legends, modern hoaxes often borrow the appearance of authority, urgency or insider knowledge. The result is a useful case study in how misinformation spreads within a small, highly connected island society.[gov.vc]gov.vcSaint Vincent GovernmentWhatsApp Phishing Scam AlertThe Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) wishes to alert the ge…

What Kinds of Hoaxes Have Appeared in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?

The strongest documented examples fall into four broad categories:

Unlike traditional folklore, these stories usually had practical consequences. Victims could lose money, reveal personal information, make poor decisions or spread incorrect warnings to family and friends.

The Rise of WhatsApp Scams and Digital Impersonation

One of the clearest modern patterns involves criminals exploiting trusted communication channels. The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force has repeatedly warned the public about phishing operations conducted through WhatsApp and other social-media platforms. In reported cases, compromised accounts contacted friends and relatives, claimed that money had been won or urgently requested personal information and banking details.[gov.vc]gov.vcSaint Vincent GovernmentWhatsApp Phishing Scam AlertThe Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) wishes to alert the ge…

The effectiveness of these schemes comes from borrowed trust. A stranger asking for money is suspicious. A message appearing to come from a known contact is far more persuasive.

Researchers studying misinformation on encrypted messaging services have noted that platforms such as WhatsApp are especially difficult to monitor because conversations occur in private networks rather than public feeds. This makes rumours and fraudulent claims harder to identify and correct before they spread widely.[arXiv]arxiv.orgHelping Fact-Checkers Identify Fake News Stories Shared through Images on WhatsAppAugust 28, 2023…Published: August 28, 2023

In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, official warnings increasingly focus on verification: checking identities through independent contact methods, avoiding unsolicited links and confirming claims with trusted institutions before acting.[Saint Vincent Government]gov.vcSaint Vincent GovernmentWhatsApp Phishing Scam AlertThe Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) wishes to alert the ge…

When Fake Government Programmes Look Real

Another recurring theme is the imitation of official authority.

Fraudsters have circulated material that appears to come from government agencies, public officials or financial institutions. Banks have warned customers about fraudulent websites, fake applications and counterfeit sign-in pages designed to harvest passwords and account information.[Facebook]facebook.comDear Valued Customer, We would like…Fraud Alert: Fake Banking Apps and Sign‑In Links We've… However, the real danger lies i…

Political figures have also become targets of impersonation. In 2025, reports emerged of fabricated content featuring a look-alike version of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves promoting what appeared to be a government financial programme. The scheme relied on viewers assuming that a familiar public figure guaranteed legitimacy.[iWitness News]iwnsvg.comi Witness News As Vincies fall for online scams, PM sees politicsi Witness News As Vincies fall for online scams, PM sees politics

These incidents illustrate a broader shift in deception. Historically, a forger might have needed to reproduce official documents. Today, a convincing social-media profile, video clip or website can perform the same function at much lower cost.

The “Plastic Rice” Rumour

One of the best-known consumer scares connected with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines involved claims that imported rice was actually made from plastic.

The rumour was not unique to Saint Vincent. Variations circulated across several countries in Africa and the Caribbean, often accompanied by dramatic videos or anecdotes claiming that rice behaved unnaturally when cooked or burned. In Saint Vincent, concerns became widespread enough to attract public discussion and responses from officials.[St. Vincent Times]stvincenttimes.comno evidence of plastic rice in svgno evidence of plastic rice in svg

Investigations found no evidence that plastic rice was being sold in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Officials pointed out that many of the alarming stories had already circulated internationally and lacked credible supporting evidence. Similar claims elsewhere were repeatedly investigated without confirmation.[stvincenttimes.com]stvincenttimes.comno evidence of plastic rice in svgno evidence of plastic rice in svg

The episode is significant because it demonstrates how a rumour can gain credibility by attaching itself to existing anxieties about imported food, product quality and consumer safety. The story felt plausible to many people because it appeared to offer a simple explanation for concerns that already existed.

Misinformation During the La Soufrière Eruption

The 2020–2021 eruption of La Soufrière created ideal conditions for misinformation.[uwiseismic.com]uwiseismic.comla soufriѐre eruption 2020 2021 factsheetThe UWI-SRC provides regular information on the La Soufriere eruption via Facebook…Read more…

The volcano is one of the most significant natural hazards in the Eastern Caribbean, and the eruption affected thousands of residents through evacuations, ashfall and disruption to daily life. During rapidly changing emergencies, people often seek information from friends, social media and messaging applications before official updates arrive.[paho.org]paho.orgOpen source on paho.org.

Recognising this risk, the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre and emergency-management authorities repeatedly advised the public to rely on official channels and to be cautious of fake news from unofficial sources.[UWI Seismic Research Centre]uwiseismic.comla soufriѐre eruption 2020 2021 factsheetThe UWI-SRC provides regular information on the La Soufriere eruption via Facebook…Read more…

The problem was not necessarily a single famous hoax. Instead, it was the continual circulation of inaccurate reports, exaggerated forecasts, recycled images and unverified claims. During emergencies, even sincere misunderstandings can spread quickly and produce real consequences, influencing evacuation decisions and public behaviour. The eruption therefore became a lesson in how misinformation can accompany genuine crises.[uwiseismic.com]uwiseismic.comla soufriѐre eruption 2020 2021 factsheetThe UWI-SRC provides regular information on the La Soufriere eruption via Facebook…Read more…

Why These Stories Were Believable

Several recurring factors explain why rumours and scams found audiences.

Authority

People naturally trust messages that appear to come from governments, banks, police forces or recognised public figures. Impersonation schemes exploit this tendency.[Facebook]facebook.comDear Valued Customer, We would like…Fraud Alert: Fake Banking Apps and Sign‑In Links We've… However, the real danger lies i…

Familiar Contacts

Messages from friends and relatives seem safer than messages from strangers. Account takeovers and phishing attacks rely on that assumption.[Saint Vincent Government]gov.vcSaint Vincent GovernmentWhatsApp Phishing Scam AlertThe Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) wishes to alert the ge…

Fear and Uncertainty

Food scares, disaster rumours and emergency warnings gain traction because they appear to offer protection from potential danger. The more uncertain a situation becomes, the more attractive unverified explanations can seem.[stvincenttimes.com]stvincenttimes.comno evidence of plastic rice in svgno evidence of plastic rice in svg

Speed

Digital platforms allow information to move much faster than formal verification processes. A rumour can reach thousands of people before officials have an opportunity to investigate it.[arXiv]arxiv.orgHelping Fact-Checkers Identify Fake News Stories Shared through Images on WhatsAppAugust 28, 2023…Published: August 28, 2023

What Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Reveals About Modern Hoaxes

The country’s experience highlights a broader transformation in the history of deception.

Older hoaxes often relied on forged objects, fabricated discoveries or invented legends. Modern hoaxes increasingly rely on communication systems themselves. A fake website, cloned account, edited video or misleading message can spread further and faster than a forged artefact ever could.[gov.vc]gov.vcSaint Vincent GovernmentWhatsApp Phishing Scam AlertThe Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) wishes to alert the ge…

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines therefore offers an instructive example of a twenty-first-century hoax landscape. The central theme is not a mythical creature, a forged relic or a famous practical joke. It is the repeated use of borrowed trust: scammers and rumour-makers adopting the appearance of authority, familiarity or expertise in order to persuade people before they have time to verify the claim.[gov.vc]gov.vcSaint Vincent GovernmentWhatsApp Phishing Scam AlertThe Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) wishes to alert the ge…

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Further Reading

Books and field guides related to How False Claims Took Hold in Saint Vincent. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.

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Thinking, Fast and Slow

By Daniel Kahneman

Provides a foundation for understanding cognitive biases behind misinformation.

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The Psychology of Money

By Morgan Housel

Explains why people believe persuasive claims and make costly mistakes.

See on Amazon

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The Confidence Game

By Maria Konnikova

Directly examines scams, con artists and manipulation.

See on Amazon

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Factfulness

By Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling et al.

Focuses on evaluating claims and avoiding distorted worldviews.

See on Amazon

Browse more on Amazon:Thinking, Fast and SlowThe Psychology of MoneyThe Confidence Game

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Endnotes

1. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/bosvgltd/posts/dear-valued-customerwe-would-like-to-inform-you-that-several-fraudulent-websites/1506748507907678/

2. Source: arxiv.org
Link:https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.14782

Published: August 28, 2023

3. Source: arxiv.org
Link:https://arxiv.org/abs/2106.04726

4. Source: arxiv.org
Link:https://arxiv.org/abs/2006.02471

5. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/GBNTVGRENADA/posts/grenadians-are-advised-not-to-circulate-a-post-on-social-media-that-speaks-to-a-/588575259678093/

6. Source: facebook.com
Title: 16th april 2026scammers alert spread the wordscammers are actively sending fake
Link:https://www.facebook.com/RTCIPF/posts/16th-april-2026scammers-alert-spread-the-wordscammers-are-actively-sending-fake-/1263358005976590/

7. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/CaymanMarlRoad/posts/fake-rice-message-makes-the-rounds-via-whatsappread-more/335600956992395/

8. Source: facebook.com
Title: the 2021 la soufriere volcanic eruption was the greatest natural disaster in st
Link:https://www.facebook.com/cgtnamerica/posts/the-2021-la-soufriere-volcanic-eruption-was-the-greatest-natural-disaster-in-st-/6097895860305635/

9. Source: gov.vc
Link:https://www.gov.vc/index.php/media-center/3687-whatsapp-phishing-scam-alert

10. Source: stvincenttimes.com
Title: whatsapp phishing scam targets users in svg
Link:https://www.stvincenttimes.com/whatsapp-phishing-scam-targets-users-in-svg/

11. Source: uwiseismic.com
Title: la soufriѐre eruption 2020 2021 factsheet
Link:https://uwiseismic.com/volcanoes/la-soufriere-eruption-2020-2021-hub/la-soufri%D1%90re-eruption-2020-2021-factsheet/

12. Source: security.gov.vc
Link:https://security.gov.vc/security/index.php?Itemid=144&id=19&limitstart=295&option=com_content&view=category

13. Source: iwnsvg.com
Title: i Witness News As Vincies fall for online scams, PM sees politics
Link:https://www.iwnsvg.com/2025/04/15/as-vincies-fall-for-online-scams-pm-sees-politics/

14. Source: stvincenttimes.com
Title: no evidence of plastic rice in svg
Link:https://www.stvincenttimes.com/no-evidence-of-plastic-rice-in-svg/

15. Source: cfs.gov.hk
Link:https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/multimedia/multimedia_pub/multimedia_pub_fsf_127_01.html

16. Source: paho.org
Link:https://www.paho.org/en/volcano-soufriere-eruption-saint-vincent-and-grenadines

17. Source: volcano.si.edu
Link:https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=360150

18. Source: Wikipedia
Title: 2021 eruption of La Soufrière
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_eruption_of_La_Soufri%C3%A8re

Additional References

19. Source: cardtpconnect.org
Link:https://cardtpconnect.org/cybercrime-in-saint-vincent-what-every-citizen-should-know/

20. Source: youtube.com
Title: Man ordered to compensate girlfriend for searching her phone
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKxS1L4MIeI

21. Source: instagram.com
Link:https://www.instagram.com/reel/DU1mBPyEzzI/

22. Source: instagram.com
Link:https://www.instagram.com/p/DUlImqxkrP4/

23. Source: theguardian.com
Link:https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/12/st-vincent-la-soufriere-volcano-ash-gas-biggest-explosion

24. Source: uk-cpa.org
Link:https://www.uk-cpa.org/news-and-views/st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-relief-and-recovery-following-the-eruption-of-la-soufriere-volcano

25. Source: ifrc.org
Link:https://www.ifrc.org/press-release/soufriere-volcanic-eruptions-ifrc-warns-immediate-and-long-term-humanitarian-needs

26. Source: youtube.com
Title: Barbados PM urges non-Essential Workers To Stay At Home
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF6xR-OcOnU

27. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueyc8eZXDmo

28. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ1UBdS643E