Fake PM Profile Targets Belizeans With Grant Scam

A Facebook scammer posing as Prime Minister John Briceño is attempting to trick Belizeans into giving up personal information by promising fake grants and financial assistance. Screenshots show the impersonator using the Prime Minister’s photo, name and profile to message users.

The fake account begins with friendly greetings before shifting to claims about an alleged “cashgrant program” supposedly funded by the United States and the United Nations. In the messages, the scammer writes, “This is to inform you that the united state have stand to help our country in their ongoing cashgrant program because of our poor economy.” The impersonator goes on to claim it is a UN-backed initiative meant to help “disable, widow, widowers and old people.”

The scammer then falsely claims that as Prime Minister, he was “given an official slot of $50,000.00 to give out to the citizen of my choice,” adding that he had already given out grants to friends and “some citizens.”

The messages follow a common pattern used by online fraudsters: build trust, promise financial rewards, and lure victims into sharing personal details or sending money. The language and formatting in the messages also show clear signs of being fraudulent, including spelling errors, incorrect phrasing and inaccurate descriptions of international agencies.

In October, the government issued a warning about a fake AI-generated video circulating on social media that urged viewers to invest money for quick returns. The Spanish-language video used images of well-known Belizeans including Briceno, but was completely fabricated.

Officials said AI “deepfake” scams were becoming more common and could convincingly manipulate voices and faces. Belizeans were urged not to share personal information or send money in response to these videos.