National Reserve Bank of Tonga

Caution on False Investment Fund Transfers

The Reserve Bank (NRBT) welcomes genuine offshore investment that supports Tonga’s economy, businesses, and communities. However, the public is warned to beware of false or misleading investment schemes claiming to involve NRBT in facilitating private international fund transfers.

Governor Moeaki stated “we have received reports of requests to facilitate private transfer of investment funds from overseas entities to local banks, private businesses and individuals. Such facilitation claims to require either the NRBT accessing a SWIFT.com global server to download transactions to the local customers’ bank account in Tonga, or transfers to be made to accounts at the NRBT. The NRBT does not provide such services nor process private cross-border transfers or investments funds transfer in this way.”

Common indicators / red flags for these potential scams or fraudulent activities:
i. False Claims: Claims to discuss “Investment opportunities” and references meetings that never occurred.
ii. Impersonation: False references or claims of affiliation with the NRBT, legitimate senior officials and nobility.
iii. Technical Deception: Claims that the NRBT is the only eligible bank in Tonga to access “swift.com global server”- a fundamental misunderstanding of legitimate SWIFT banking systems.
iv. Urgent Pressure: Pressure to respond quickly to urgent “investment opportunities”.
v. Requests for sensitive banking or financial system information
vi. Poor understanding of legitimate banking processes and terminology

“Any claim or offer involving NRBT in such transactions should be considered false and suspicious, and the public is urged to exercise extreme cautions,” said Governor Moeaki. The NRBT is committed to protecting financial consumers and ensuring the integrity of the financial system.
We seek extreme caution against these false and suspicious claims by all licensed banks, financial institutions and members of the public. For verification of concerns, please contact the Reserve Bank directly or your local bank.

For further details, please contact:

National Reserve Bank of Tonga on (+676 24057) or email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | website: http://www.reservebank.to