Belize Police Warns Public of Rising Online Scams

The Belize Police Department is cautioning the public about the increasing prevalence of online scams across the country. A press release from the department says, “There have been numerous reports from citizens who have fallen victim to online scams carried out on social media apps such as Facebook and WhatsApp.”

“Common modes utilized to conduct these online scams are the advertisement of the sale of items or employment opportunities.”

While the Police Department acknowledges the importance of legitimate business transactions conducted through these platforms, they urge citizens to remain vigilant for common red flags that may signal the onset of fraudulent activity.

These warning signs include instances where the other party refuses to provide proper identification, banking information is directed to a third party, shipments are not handled through registered courier services, items or services are priced significantly below market value, or there is a persistent eagerness to accept a lower price than advertised.

The public is advised to exercise caution and only engage in financial transactions with individuals they are familiar with, as they risk unknowingly becoming involved in online scams.