"It is what it is": Police in Camagüey refuse to investigate attempted fraud reported by a citizen

The Cuban María Padilla reported on social media that police officers in Camagüey refused to investigate a phone scam she was a victim of, despite her providing concrete information about the alleged criminals.

In a post made last Saturday on Facebook, Padilla recounted that she received a call on her landline from someone pretending to be an employee of the agency Cubamax.

The supposed operator informed her that she had a package pending delivery and offered her a messenger service for 1,500 pesos, pressuring her to authenticate in the Transfermóvil application and generate a so-called "verification code."

The scam became evident when the interlocutor asked him to input an amount of 45,000 pesos.

Two days later, the woman recounted in another post that she went to the nearest police station to file the report.

However, the officer on duty responded that the case did not proceed because the fraud had not been completed.

“If the scam didn’t go through, it doesn’t constitute an attempt at fraud; we can only take statements and file it away,” replied the agent, who ended the conversation with a resigned, “it is what it is.”

The victim herself noted that the officer acknowledged that this type of report is received up to "four times a day," but he merely reiterated that they could not investigate because the information from the cards and phones was "confidential."

Padilla lamented that in practice "one ends up being the one deceived, the blame falls on the deceived, not the deceiver."

The organization Cubalex reacted to the case and reminded on Facebook that the Cuban Penal Code, in its articles 13 and 14, states that an attempt is punishable when a person initiates actions aimed at committing a crime, even if they do not succeed in completing it.

In terms of fraud, he specified that the mere act of contacting the victim and using sensitive information such as card numbers or phone numbers constitutes the beginning of execution.

Cubalex noted that the police refusal not only contradicts the law but may also constitute the crime of malfeasance, as the official refused to fulfill their duties.

Moreover, it creates a re-victimization effect and leaves citizens unprotected against a growing criminal phenomenon.

The organization emphasized the double standards of the Cuban authorities: while they deploy all resources to track phones and intercept communications of opponents and critics of the regime, they claim limitations in investigating common crimes that directly affect the population.

"Refusing to register these complaints perpetuates impunity, revictimizes citizens, and weakens access to justice," concluded Cubalex.

In recent months, reports of scams related to internet use and sending money to Cuba have multiplied, reflecting the vulnerability of users in the context of an economic crisis.

A young resident on the island explained that she lost part of her savings after falling victim to a digital scam, emphasizing how difficult it is to recover when “every peso requires so much effort to earn.”

Days later, a false promotion of 60 GB for free began circulating on social media, promising unlimited internet and ended up ensnaring hundreds of people.

This fraud scheme, which disguised itself as a purported official offer, was reported by cybersecurity specialists and quickly went viral among users who were warning about the deception.

The impact of these crimes is also felt in the provinces. In Cienfuegos, a Cuban recounted how his mother fell victim to a scam while attempting to access a seemingly reliable service.

Frustration and economic damage add to the feeling of helplessness in the face of increasingly sophisticated fraud mechanisms.

The community abroad is not exempt either. In Miami, a Cuban reported being scammed in an online transaction that cost him $1,200, a significant blow for any family.

Cases like this show that the problem is not limited to the national territory but extends to the diaspora, where many try to help their relatives on the island and end up becoming targets of fraudulent networks.

Frequently Asked Questions about Police Inaction and Scams in Cuba