Saint Lucian authorities are warning of an alarming rise in cybercrime, including fake news, online scams, and deepfake impersonations targeting the public and political leaders—even as existing laws struggle to keep pace with evolving digital threats.
Both Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet have recently been impersonated online in fraudulent schemes.
Authorities say such cases are becoming more frequent and sophisticated, posing significant challenges for investigation and prosecution. Police Sergeant Zachary Hippolyte of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force said tracking offenders is difficult unless a victim comes forward and malicious intent is proven.
“While some cases show an offence and there is clearly malicious or illegal activity taking place, other cases are not so easy to pursue,” Police Sergeant Zachary Hippolyte of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force tells St Lucia Times.
Under Saint Lucia’s Computer Misuse Act (2011) and Criminal Code (2004)—which are aligned with the international Budapest Convention on Cybercrime—offences like cyberstalking, spoofing, and electronic defamation can carry penalties of up to $100 000 or three years in prison.
Authorities may also seize electronic devices with a judge’s approval, but fake news and misinformation continue to fall into grey areas legally.
Local media outlets, including St Lucia Times, have reported their branding and logos being misused in the spread of false stories and misleading posts, further complicating efforts to protect the public.
One cybersecurity specialist noted that unlike countries like the US—where laws specifically address the dissemination of false information—Saint Lucia relies on provisions for malicious communication and impersonation, which are harder to enforce without clear evidence.
Last year, the prime minister warned citizens about a fake social media account soliciting money under his name.
“Be vigilant when engaging with any online profiles claiming to be associated with [me],” he urged.
Meanwhile, Chastanet faced a deepfake video falsely depicting him promoting a money-making scheme. “I have never and will never, ask anyone to invest in or send money to me,” he posted on Facebook. “These posts are 100 per cent fake and are meant to deceive innocent people.”
Sergeant Hippolyte notes that tracking and prosecuting such offences is difficult, as someone has to be aggrieved for an offence to be established.
“What happens is that someone has to be aggrieved,” Zachary said. “So if you said something about me, no matter how bad it may be to someone else, if I am [okay] about it then no offence has been committed. There is a part in the act that speaks to malicious communication. So, if you share something on Facebook with the intent, and it does insult someone or embarrass them, then yes, that would be an offence.”
Under Saint Lucian law, cyberstalking, electronic defamation and spoofing (creating counterfeit websites or messages to deceive) are punishable by fines up to $100 000 or three years’ imprisonment. Authorities can also seize electronic devices if a judge grants a warrant.
