Fahie condemns bogus euro-news article targeting BVI’s reputation
Premier Andrew Fahie has debunked reports published by what is believed to be a fictitious European news agency claiming that his government developed a dubious cryptocurrency platform that has earned him and other BVI citizens “millions of dollars”.
The article reportedly carries the headline FINANCIAL INSPECTION: Andrew Fahie risks 10 years in prison for Virgin Islanders using his new app to “get rich too fast” and is said to be be circulating on social media.
BVI News has not had sight of the article in question but according to the Premier, it contains several links, “which, if clicked upon, are likely linked to malware” that can compromise a user’s personal information by infecting their computers, mobile phones and other devices.
And in listing “the falsities contained in the text of the publication”, Fahie stated the following:
1. There is no Body in the Virgin Islands named the “Virgin Islander Financial Supervisory Body”, as quoted and referenced in the false-news publication.
2. There is no bitcoin or other crypto platform in the Virgin Islands called “Bitcoin Revolution”, as quoted and referenced in the false-news publication.
3. Since this platform does not exist, it follows that claims that myself and “thousands of Virgin Islanders” have become sudden millionaires or are earning large amounts of money from this fictitious platform are false.
4. Neither in my personal capacity nor as Premier have I facilitated any interview with this fake-news website, and any and all statements attributed to coming from me – especially from any kind of interview – are 100 percent fabrications.
5. There is no media organisation in the Virgin Islands by the name “Virgin Islands Radio,” as quoted and referenced in the false-news publication. This is a well-known fact to everyone.
The Premier described the report as further proof that Virgin Islanders and thier reputations continue to be targeted by malicious acts.
He raised that concern against the backdrop of a similar incident he said happened 11 months ago whereby “a slew of similar fake-news publications were circulated on the internet and social media, which made similar outrageous and fabricated claims”.
“That this latest round of attack against me as the elected leader of the Virgin Islands, and also against the wider Virgin Islands public – and our Territory’s international reputation, has come in the midst of a Commission of Inquiry in which the Virgin Islands’ political status hangs in the balance, is very curious, and we condemn it.”
As a politician of more than two decades, Fahie has faced rumours of this kind for years.
BVI News has not had sight of the article in question but according to the Premier, it contains several links, “which, if clicked upon, are likely linked to malware” that can compromise a user’s personal information by infecting their computers, mobile phones and other devices.
And in listing “the falsities contained in the text of the publication”, Fahie stated the following:
1. There is no Body in the Virgin Islands named the “Virgin Islander Financial Supervisory Body”, as quoted and referenced in the false-news publication.
2. There is no bitcoin or other crypto platform in the Virgin Islands called “Bitcoin Revolution”, as quoted and referenced in the false-news publication.
3. Since this platform does not exist, it follows that claims that myself and “thousands of Virgin Islanders” have become sudden millionaires or are earning large amounts of money from this fictitious platform are false.
4. Neither in my personal capacity nor as Premier have I facilitated any interview with this fake-news website, and any and all statements attributed to coming from me – especially from any kind of interview – are 100 percent fabrications.
5. There is no media organisation in the Virgin Islands by the name “Virgin Islands Radio,” as quoted and referenced in the false-news publication. This is a well-known fact to everyone.
The Premier described the report as further proof that Virgin Islanders and thier reputations continue to be targeted by malicious acts.
He raised that concern against the backdrop of a similar incident he said happened 11 months ago whereby “a slew of similar fake-news publications were circulated on the internet and social media, which made similar outrageous and fabricated claims”.
“That this latest round of attack against me as the elected leader of the Virgin Islands, and also against the wider Virgin Islands public – and our Territory’s international reputation, has come in the midst of a Commission of Inquiry in which the Virgin Islands’ political status hangs in the balance, is very curious, and we condemn it.”
As a politician of more than two decades, Fahie has faced rumours of this kind for years.
