The Government has advised the public to be wary of fake social media accounts promoting false The Royal Gazette news articles critical of government ministers.

A likeness of David Burt, the Premier, also features in some of the posts, in which readers are offered payments if they click a link on the page.

The spokeswoman said: “Fraudulent accounts and accounts promoting libellous information, are being used to mislead the public and potentially defraud unsuspecting individuals.

“We urge all residents to exercise caution and remain vigilant when online.

“It is crucial to verify the authenticity of any social media account, particularly if it is claiming to represent the Premier or any other Government official.

“Only trust information from verified sources. If you encounter any suspicious accounts, do not engage with them and report them immediately to the respective social media platform administrators.

“Most importantly, do not click any links on such sites.”

She added: “If individuals have any further concerns as to whether an online website, social media account/post/commentary or e-mail may be fraudulent, they should contact the Bermuda Police Service.

“The public is reminded to rely only on official information and advisories from the Government of Bermuda’s official communication’s section, the Department of Communications.”

The Bermuda Police Service also issued a warning and advised the public to “be vigilant” when responding to online advertisements soliciting funds or offering financial reward.

A BPS spokesman said: “Should you receive such correspondence, we urge you to contact the agency from which it is purported to have come.

“Fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated in their efforts to obtain monies from individuals, using the likeness of local officials and media outlets in order to gain your confidence.

“As we have previously advised, if an offer appears too good to be true, it usually is and should be treated as suspicious.”