Is the Belize Ex Services League being targeted? That is a question we asked its president Bernard Adolphus following another hit on the institution. First there was a robbery, and now there's fraud. This time however it did not involve any items stolen from the headquarters on Newtown Barracks but it seems as if business houses are being conned by two individuals who are claiming to be asking for Christmas donations on behalf the veterans. Today Bernard Adolphus not only showed 7NEWS the bogus letter that is being circulated but says the paper also bears the forged signature of their secretary. Today, Adolphus advised all businesses to not fall prey to the scam.
Bernard Adolphus, President - Belize Ex Services League
"I would not say that we have become a target to a certain extent but periodically we have the homeless people walk downstairs here and tear things down and pick up things etc and some go beyond I believe interfere with the building and break in etc. I can remember sometime last year I had to tell one of the homeless to move from this building through the rain but what we got suspicious about because of the fact that we got information that two men, a Hispanic gentleman with a tall black Belizean were going around with a letter to at least one establishment was hit so to speak but because they are aware of our logo and what have you the staff was quite aware and they inform us and as a result of that we tried to take some positive action so that it does not happen and try to warn the business community that at this time we are not soliciting for funds, rum or any gifts at all. Our only such thing was in November so to speak and that is finished and if anybody wants to do something they can do it and send it to the Belize ex service league but we are not soliciting during this period. There is no need for us to do that and if we are talking about liquor so to speak every year at this time the Belize Defense Force host the Belize Ex Services League where we invite our elderly and have a good time.
We are hoping that members of the public will not be hoodwinked by those people who are con artists at this time because everybody wants an extra drink they want to do something without working for it and we cannot condone that so because of this we want to send out a quick message to members of the public and others who are always in sympathy with us do not adhere to any request from anybody because we are not involved in that."
Adolphus says any letters or verbal request on the veteran's behalf must be approve by the Belize Ex-Services League executive council and sent in the form of an official letter with the leagues executive council letter head and logo and must be signed by the President, Bernard Adolphus.
