(Bandar Seri Begawan, 5th) Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) reminds the public to only transact with financial institutions licensed by the bank and to avoid any contact with any unlicensed companies or individuals offering financial products or services.
Businesses requiring the bank’s license include: accepting deposits, lending, investment schemes, insurance/Takaful services, remittance, currency exchange, and pawnbroking.
In light of the increasingly rampant unauthorized promotion of financial services on social media and online platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and WhatsApp), unlicensed entities may use misleading information and inducement tactics to deceive the public, particularly vulnerable groups. Hence, this warning is being issued.
The public must ensure, before conducting any financial transaction or making a commitment, that the company or individual providing the financial services is licensed by the bank.
Dealing with unlicensed or unregulated entities may expose consumers to significant financial risks, such as financial loss with little chance of recovery, being misled by false refund promises, facing hidden fees or unfair terms, and having no access to proper complaint channels or regulatory protection under the Brunei Central Bank framework.
Therefore, the bank encourages the public to refer to the list of licensed financial institutions available on the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank website (www.bdcb.gov.bn); and to consult the Bank’s alert list to learn about entities known or suspected to be operating without authorization.
It should be noted that not being listed does not mean an entity is authorized or safe to transact with; never share sensitive personal or financial information with unidentified or unverified entities.
If the public encounters such activities, please immediately report them to the nearest Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) station or call the anti-fraud hotline 16993.
If the public encounter or suspect any individual or entity providing unlicensed financial services, they may contact Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) at +673 8380007 during office hours, or email fci@bdcb.gov.bn
.
Brunei Darussalam Central Bank is always committed to maintaining Brunei’s financial stability and protecting the interests of financial consumers.
The Central Bank will also continue to actively monitor any suspicious or unauthorized financial activities within Brunei.
The public plays an important role in this process and should remain vigilant and make wise financial decisions.
In light of the increasingly rampant unauthorized promotion of financial services on social media and online platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and WhatsApp), unlicensed entities may use misleading information and inducement tactics to deceive the public, particularly vulnerable groups. Hence, this warning is being issued.
The public must ensure, before conducting any financial transaction or making a commitment, that the company or individual providing the financial services is licensed by the bank.
Dealing with unlicensed or unregulated entities may expose consumers to significant financial risks, such as financial loss with little chance of recovery, being misled by false refund promises, facing hidden fees or unfair terms, and having no access to proper complaint channels or regulatory protection under the Brunei Central Bank framework.
Therefore, the bank encourages the public to refer to the list of licensed financial institutions available on the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank website (www.bdcb.gov.bn); and to consult the Bank’s alert list to learn about entities known or suspected to be operating without authorization.
It should be noted that not being listed does not mean an entity is authorized or safe to transact with; never share sensitive personal or financial information with unidentified or unverified entities.
If the public encounters such activities, please immediately report them to the nearest Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) station or call the anti-fraud hotline 16993.
If the public encounter or suspect any individual or entity providing unlicensed financial services, they may contact Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) at +673 8380007 during office hours, or email fci@bdcb.gov.bn
.
Brunei Darussalam Central Bank is always committed to maintaining Brunei’s financial stability and protecting the interests of financial consumers.
The Central Bank will also continue to actively monitor any suspicious or unauthorized financial activities within Brunei.
The public plays an important role in this process and should remain vigilant and make wise financial decisions.