By Belize Live News Staff: Local Maya Beach restaurant, Mango’s, fell victim to an online order scam last night, raising concerns about the vulnerabilities faced by small businesses during the slow season.
The order, totaling $287.00, took the kitchen 50 minutes to prepare. However, the provided phone number was linked to a Dangriga business, and both the email and online ordering account were newly created, raising red flags for the owners.
“We are a small business trying to stay afloat during the slow season,” said the owner of Mango’s, who wished to remain anonymous. “This incident is a major setback for us.”
In response to the scam, Mango’s has changed its online ordering policy. From now on, all new accounts will be required to pay by credit card. Cash payments will only be accepted from customers with a history of previous orders.
“We are deeply disappointed by this situation,” the owner added. “We urge our customers to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to us.”
Mango’s remains committed to serving its customers and upholding its reputation for quality food and service. However, the owners hope that by sharing their experience, they can raise awareness about online scams and protect other businesses from falling victim.
