Cyber criminals are targeting unsuspecting Belizeans

The Police Department and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) are investigating the phishing scam which continues to target persons through fake emails and text messages. The online scams target persons by sending them a link that once opened grants the cybercriminals access to the victim’s personal and banking information. The police have recently noticed an uptick in these types of scams and believe that illicit proceeds are being transferred between local accounts in Belize’s banking system. Yesterday, Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, confirmed that the police are working with the FIU to bring these perpetrators to justice.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “Certainly yes police are investigating and yes we’re equipped to do the investigation. With those types of investigations we certainly will be aided tremendously by the FIU. They are the ones that have the legislative teeth to be able to make requests to the banks and demand for the banks to do certain things. I listened attentively to Mr.Claire’s presentation in the news on Friday and he made the point that Belizeans need to be aware of this local phishing that is happening with the banks and ensure that whenever you get those emails or text messages you do not click yes or whatever it is the term may be as it relates to that. But what the investigation has to focus on is who are those persons sending those links, what accounts are linked to those messages because there is where the money is going and FIU does have the capability to be able to get those information so we’re really optimistic that with those investigations we’re going to be successful in finding the perpetrators.”