The Department of the Attorney General has issued a warning regarding an individual, Iqbal Khowaja, who is falsely representing himself as Hawaii’s Chief Technology Officer. This impersonation has been taking place at national conferences and online platforms.
False Claims at Bitcoin Conference
Khowaja made his misleading claims during the Bitcoin 2026 Conference held from April 27 to 29 at The Venetian in Las Vegas. His allegations of being the “CTO of the State of Hawaii” prompted immediate scrutiny from the Department of the Attorney General.
Response from Officials
- Tom Alipio, Chief of the Investigations Division, expressed the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing the risks of public deception.
- Christine Sakuda, Chief Information Officer, confirmed that Khowaja has never been employed by the state.
The Department of the Attorney General is taking appropriate measures to notify event organizers about this impersonation. Alipio noted, “When someone falsely presents themselves as a government official, it raises serious concerns about fraud and public deception.”
Guidelines for the Public
In light of this fraudulent activity, the Department has urged residents, businesses, and event organizers to exercise caution. They recommend the following:
- Be wary of unsolicited business or investment opportunities that seem linked to state affiliations.
- Verify claims through official state websites or by contacting relevant agencies before making decisions.
- Avoid sharing personal information, including credit card and bank details, with unverified individuals.
Reporting Fraudulent Activity
The Department encourages anyone who may have been affected by Khowaja’s actions to report the situation to local law enforcement or reach out to the Department of the Attorney General via email.
