The Copextel branch in Santiago de Cuba alerted this Monday about individuals who are fraudulently using the name of the state company to deceive citizens interested in acquiring photovoltaic systems for their homes.
In a statement published on Facebook, the entity reported that it has detected individuals impersonating representatives of its subsidiary to promote alleged business operations related to solar panels, at a time when many families are seeking alternatives to cope with the prolonged blackouts.
The company clarified that these devices have been sold to workers in prioritized sectors through previously established communication mechanisms between the involved institutions, the commercial entity, and the beneficiaries.
He also insisted that he does not conduct online sales nor request advance payments.
"We never conduct virtual sales. In other words, the transaction is face-to-face, and we never charge in advance for any product or service," he stated explicitly.
According to the Santiago branch, payments are made through the authorized mechanisms in the country, which include cash, Transfermóvil, and Enzona.
However, every transaction must involve direct communication between the buyer and the specialists of the company responsible for explaining the acquisition conditions.
Copextel recommended being cautious of suspicious messages received via WhatsApp, social media, or phone calls from unverified senders. It also advised consulting their official profiles before carrying out any transactions.
For those who need to verify an offer, the entity reported that its sales room is located at Aguilera and Padre Pico, known as El Machetazo, in Santiago de Cuba. They also provided the official phone numbers 22653535, 22653550, and 22627266.
In the past, the company has shared similar alerts. In July, the Artemisa branch of Copextel also warned about fraudulent calls and messages in which unknown individuals used the company's name to demand advance payments in exchange for supposedly solar photovoltaic systems.
That same month, the Cuban content creator Luis Manresa recorded a call with an alleged scammer who was trying to take control of his WhatsApp account under the pretext of selling solar panels.
The individual tried to convince him to link his account to another device under the pretext of managing a supposed warranty code.
In August, a Cuban resident in the United States reported losing $1,900 after criminals impersonated a friend via WhatsApp to request transfers related to the purchase of an electric bicycle and a solar panel in Cuba.
Another case, recorded in September in a report on the types of scams investigated in Sancti Spíritus, involved a 65-year-old woman who was targeted by alleged solar energy system sellers attempting to charge her about 3,000 dollars through Zelle.
The woman avoided making the transfer after the promised equipment did not arrive at her home.
Frauds have even begun to use AI-manipulated images to simulate that the solar panels have already been installed in the buyers' homes and to convince their relatives abroad to send money.
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