Police Probe Online Phone Scam Involving $1,600 Money Transfer

Police are investigating a report of obtaining money transfer by deception following an online transaction involving the attempted purchase of a cellular phone.  On Monday, around 1:30 p.m., 38-year-old Kimberly St. Clare, a cook of Mahogany Street, Belize City, visited the Crimes Investigation Branch (CIB) and reported that she may have been scammed while attempting to purchase a mobile phone advertised on social media.  According to St. Clare, on Friday, January 9, at about 9:00 a.m., she was scrolling through the Belize Buy & Sell Facebook page when she saw a rose-gold iPhone 16 Pro Max listed for sale for $1,800 by a Facebook account under the name Ara A. Velasquez. After messaging the seller, an agreement was reached to purchase the phone for $1,600 Belize dollars.  St. Clare reported that she asked a coworker, Orlando Brown, to facilitate an online transfer on her behalf. Brown reportedly transferred the $1,600 from his Atlantic Bank account to a Belize Bank account provided by the seller, listed under the name Tremett Saan Lopez. St. Clare said she then reimbursed her coworker in cash.  After the transfer was completed, St. Clare stated that she was told the phone would be shipped via Tropic Air Cargo. However, up to the time of making the report, she had not received the device and has since been unable to contact the seller, despite providing proof of payment.  Police say statements have been recorded, an all-formations message has been issued, and a request has been submitted to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Checks were also conducted at the listed residence of Tremett Lopez; however, he was not located.