Say what you want about Uncle Sam, but there's no arguing that a U.S. visa is the gold standard in immigration worldwide because it's a free pass to enter the most prosperous country in the world. And tonight, one 62-year-old Belize City resident is accused of ruthlessly exploiting that desire by conning 3 people into thinking he could get them a u.s. visa for a few hundred dollars. Jacqueline Godwin has more.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Berisford Castillo may be 62 years old but that did not stop this senior citizen from scamming hundreds of dollars from several innocent Belize City resident. Deputy Officer Commanding the Crimes Investigations Branch at Eastern Division Sgt. Hilberto Romero says it is like the Ford's last deeds have come back to haunt him.
Sgt. Hilberto Romero, Deputy CIB Commander
"Mr. Castillo was arrested yesterday afternoon at 1:30 pm at the Sav-U Supermarket."
Jacqueline Godwin,
What led police to him?
Sgt. Hilberto Romero,
"One of the complainants saw him at Sav-U and they informed police who apprehended him there and he was handed over to CIB."
Jacqueline Godwin,
How was the scam conducted? What was he
promising these people?
Sgt. Hilberto Romero,
"Mr. Castillo promised them that for a fee he would obtain a US visa for them to visit the U.S."
Jacqueline Godwin,
Do we know how much money he collected?
Sgt. Hilberto Romero,
"Well it varies. We have from $200 and $300 respectively. We believe that he had left the country and this was done from 2005 and he has now returned and one of the complainants saw him at Sav-U and she reported the matter to police. The police have recovered a passport that does not belong to the accused and we are trying at this time to locate the owner of this passport."
The police have been able to determine that at least three persons have fallen victim to the scam.
Jacqueline Godwin,
What is Mr. Castillo saying in his defense?
Sgt. Hilberto Romero,
"He is not saying anything and that is his right. He refuses to say anything at this time."
Jacqueline Godwin,
Do you believe he is the only person involved here?
Sgt. Hilberto Romero,
"At this time the evidence is showing that he is working alone. We don't have any other to suggest he has any other connections at this time. We advise the public to deal only with legitimate places to get your visa. The US, the consulate, and do not fall for these persons who are attempting to just extort money from you to get services. We have the place that you can visit and do your transactions legally."
BerisFord Castillo will be charged with obtaining property by deception.
As we noted, only three complaints have emerged, but police suspect there could be more. He will be taken to court tomorrow where he will be charged for multiple counts of obtaining property by deception.
