Repeat Offender Accused in New Online Scam Targeting Belize City Caregiver

A Belize City caregiver has become the latest victim in a series of online deception cases linked to 25-year-old Tyler Malcolm, a Belizean logger from Victoria Street in Benque Viejo Town, who has repeatedly found himself before the courts for fraud-related offences.  On Tuesday, September 30, 55-year-old Audrey Dawson of North Creek, Belize City, told Precinct Two CIB that she was swindled after responding to a Facebook ad posted under the name Don Biggs.  The ad featured a white Mystic refrigerator, and after discussing a payment plan with the seller via Messenger, Dawson transferred $150 to an Atlantic Bank account in the name Kevane Faber.  The refrigerator was supposed to arrive the next day, but it never did. Dawson said the seller later agreed to refund her money, but no money was returned and no fridge ever arrived. Police have officially recorded her statement, and the matter is under investigation.  Dawson’s case joins a growing list of deception claims tied to Malcolm, who was charged in two separate incidents earlier this month.  On November 26, Malcolm was arrested and charged for obtaining property by deception in connection with a report filed by Letecia Flowers on October 23.  Ten days prior, on November 16, Malcolm was charged with obtaining money transfer by deception related to a report made by Lillian Suntecun on November 14.  In both cases, Malcolm remained silent after being cautioned and requested a phone call to a friend, which officers granted.  Malcolm’s latest run-ins with the law come on the heels of several previous convictions that paint a troubling pattern of online scams.  On July 15, 2024, Malcolm, who was then living on Bladen Street in Belmopan, was sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty to obtaining property by deception. In that case, he advertised an iPhone 14 Pro Max on Facebook Marketplace for $2,000 and convinced businessman YoungBo Tan to transfer a $1,000 deposit. Malcolm never delivered the phone.  He was also found guilty of scamming Denise Gabourel out of $450, leading to a second charge of obtaining property by deception. Though the offence carries a penalty of up to ten years, he received shorter concurrent sentences because the matters were dealt with summarily. His earliest release date from that sentence was October 25, 2024.  With multiple victims across Belize City, Cayo, and Belmopan, police are again urging the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging in online purchases, especially through Facebook Marketplace or unverified sellers.