Man loses $2,400 in suspected iPhone scam

By Horace Palacio: A resident of Ladyville has become the latest victim of a growing trend of online scams, losing a substantial sum of money in a fraudulent scheme involving the supposed sale of a coveted iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Christopher Latchman (28), a barber residing in Ladyville, reported being defrauded of $2,400 Belize dollars after falling prey to a scam orchestrated via a Facebook Buy and Sell page. According to reports, Mr. Latchman was initially contacted by an individual using the alias “Ginely Hernandez,” who claimed her boyfriend, “Marcelo Novelo,” had an iPhone 15 Pro Max available for purchase.

The phone was attractively priced at $2,400 BZD with a promise of convenient delivery via Tropic Air shipping once payment was received. Eager to secure the deal, Mr. Latchman, along with his coworker Rafiq Nu’man, proceeded to make two separate deposits into an Atlantic Bank account registered under the name “Marcelo Novelo.”

However, upon completing the transaction and confirming payment, communication with the alleged seller abruptly ended. Mr. Latchman was left without the phone and with no means of recovering his money.

Upon realizing he had been scammed, Mr. Latchman immediately reported the incident to local authorities, who have launched an active investigation into the matter. As part of their investigation, authorities have formally requested assistance from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to trace the fraudulent transactions. The suspect, identified as “Marcelo Novelo,” remains at large.

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