Teen Reports Losing $500 in Suspected Online iPhone Scam

Police in Belize City are investigating a case of obtaining money transfer by deception after a teenager reported being defrauded while attempting to purchase a mobile phone online.  Nineteen-year-old George Sarmiento, a jeweler of Belama Phase Four, visited the Criminal Investigations Branch office at Precinct One shortly after one-thirty Tuesday afternoon to make the report.  According to Sarmiento, on March 14 he was browsing the Belize Buy and Sell online marketplace when he came across an advertisement for an iPhone Fourteen listed for five hundred and fifty Belize dollars by a user identified as “Ras Rulz.” Sarmiento says he contacted the seller and arrangements were made for him to purchase the phone for five hundred dollars, with half to be paid upfront and the remainder upon delivery.  Police say Sarmiento was later provided with banking details for an Atlantic Bank account under the name Antwan Will Latchman. On that same day, March 14, Sarmiento made two separate online deposits of two hundred and fifty dollars each to the account, totaling five hundred Belize dollars.  After making the payment, Sarmiento says he was informed by the seller that the phone had been shipped via Tropic Air. However, when he made checks at the airline’s offices in Belize City and Ladyville, no such package was found.  Up to the time of making his report to police, Sarmiento indicated that he had not received the phone and had also not been refunded the money he transferred.  Police say statements have been recorded and a copy of the deposit receipt has been obtained as part of the investigation. Authorities have also prepared a request for the Financial Intelligence Unit as they seek to question two persons in connection with the matter.  Investigations into the suspected online scam are ongoing.