3 Foreigners Detained on Suspicion of Credit Card Scam

Police have detained three foreigners suspected of credit card scams carried out at ATM machines across the country. Not much is known about the individuals at this time, but police are working with Interpol to gather more information on the suspects. What we do know, however, is that the three men—a Colombian, a Peruvian and a Chilean—were nabbed in Dangriga around three on Thursday afternoon. They were reportedly travelling in two vehicles with Mexican license plates.  They told the police that they rented those vehicles in Cancun, but authorities say this is yet to be verified. Today, ACP Joseph Myvett said that a number of items including a stash of mostly international credit cards, as well as blank cards, a credit card skimmer and parts of ATM machines were found inside the vehicles. ACP Joseph Myvett told the media about the trio in custody, but didn’t say what banks were targeted.

Joseph Myvett

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“On yesterday’s date sometime around three-thirty p.m., Dangriga Police intercepted two vehicles with Mexican license plates. Searches were conducted on those persons, three of whom are foreign nations, one being from Chile, one from Colombia and the other from Peru. Those persons were found with a credit card skimmer and a number of other paraphernalia related to that, including credit cards and blank credit cards. They are detained at this time pending investigation.”

Reporter

“Is your investigation showing if they managed to get any monies that they shouldn’t have?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“At this time they are still being interviewed in relation to the investigation since it was late yesterday evening they were found.”

Reporter

“Have you contacted Interpol?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“Yes we have.”

Reporter

“Are they wanted?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“Not at this point in time we haven’t gotten back a response.”

Andrea Polanco

“Sir, do we know if they are in the country legally?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“Yes they are.”

Andrea Polanco

“And you know how long they have been here?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“One of those persons has made several trips to the country, whilst the other seemingly arrived on the tenth of January.”

Andrea Polanco

“Anything to indicate if they have been charged for a similar crime or committed similar offences in other countries?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“That is what we are working on through Interpol at this time.”

Reporter

“Can you say what caused Belize Police to be alerted of their presence here and their possible activities?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“Police were following on several information and looking at this issue for some time now.”