Omero Campos, a San Narciso businessman, has been missing since Father's Day. Days after he went missing his family was contacted by his apparent kidnappers who called from a Mexican number, and allegedly demanded $1 million for his return. About a week later, the family was contacted again but this time spoke to Campos directly; assuring them that he was still alive. And after another week of no contact, Campos' alleged abductors allegedly sent another message - this time, though, supposedly through the media.
In an email sent to Breaking Belize News, the kidnappers supposedly changed their ransom from a million in cash to cryptocurrency and now want 20 bitcoins. For those that don't know, Bitcoin is an online currency currently worth about $12,000 US dollars per unit - so that works out to about half a million Belize dollars. Police told us more about the latest developments.
ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City
"Police in Corozal are still investigating the disappearance of Mr. Omero Campos. I know that police is searching several locations along the river side where from Douglas to the border with Santa Elena. Mexico. But up to now we have not received any information or any other thing that can link us to this male person that have been missing since 16th, June."
Reporter
"Several days after he went missing the family got a call and then an email has been circulating about a ransom request for bitcoins. Is police looking into this?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City
"As I was made aware it was the media that this email was sent and I was only told about yesterday. Nonetheless we have had communication with one of the media houses that had received the email. We are working with them and that we have trace the origin of the email. However, that is way abroad and the email address that is being used is one that it cannot be traced. We have downloaded some information in regards to that and that is one of the most secure email that they have at this moment."
Cowo also confirmed that the BDF and Coast Guard are involved in the search for Campos.
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