We've seen WhatApp scams, phishing scams, even Belize Buy and Sell scams, but there seems to be another scam making its round right now - the Customs scam. Unsuspecting residents typically get a WhatsApp message telling them that, for a fee, their packages can be cleared and delivered right to their home.
Most would think, wow, "how convenient," while others may say, but I don't even have a package at customs!
But regardless, even if you transfer that money to the bank account they give you, you're not getting any package - and you may never see that money again.
Today, the Assistant Comptroller of Enforcement at Belize Customs warned us about the scam - which, unwittingly, he has become a part of. Courtney Menzies has this story.
Here's how it works, you get a text like this inviting you to clear your package and send a payment to Customs.
If you're that unlucky person expecting a package and you're fooled into thinking it's legit, you're then told to make a deposit to this Belize Bank account, and that the person who will deal with it is senior customs officer, Marcus Martinez. But all those are just the optics of that scam.
The person presented as senior customs officer Martinez is actually Assistant, Jason Menzies. His picture was used along with a fake ID. He says initially, he didn't take it seriously, but now he's concerned since people are being swindled.
Jason Menzies, Assistant Comptroller, Enforcement, Belize Customs
"I was informed by a friend and I took it as a joke originally with the name Marcus Martinez which my image was attached to that was sending out messages that persons had to deposit monies to receive some package that was being held at Customs."
"I originally took it as a joke amongst friends because I likened it to winning a raffle that you never entered. How do you- are there any packages? Are these packages actual- do you expect a package? So, I'm stumped."
Courtney Menzies:
"Those people who were targeted, do you know if they actually sent money?"
Jason Menzies, Assistant Comptroller, Enforcement, Belize Customs
"Well I've seen deposit slips that have been forwarded to a colleague and she sent it to me, I guess some person who was scammed sent it to her as to inquire if it was legitimately something that involved customs and she sent it to me and I told her I'd seen it before and I got another one on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week, another customs officer in the south of the country sent one to me saying that this is what's happening using the same ID, using the same scheme."
Courtney Menzies:
"Somebody's using your image, I'm sure you're concerned."
Jason Menzies, Assistant Comptroller, Enforcement, Belize Customs
"I am concerned that someone is using my image but there is not much I can do about that. I believe it's a police matter, it's not a matter for customs at all."
He said he's been aware of this scam happening at least four times, but wanted to inform the public that if they get a message like this, it's definitely not from Customs.
Jason Menzies, Assistant Comptroller, Enforcement, Belize Customs
"Customs doesn't inform anybody of packages being held, that's something that either the freight forwarder or the courier would do, not customs."
If you've received a similar message, he urges you to not send any money, but instead to go to the police.
To be clear - if you get such a text message, it is not from Customs, and you should NOT send money to the bank account they provide.
