A former accounting employee of Fort George Hotel & Spa has been formally charged with orchestrating a sophisticated digital embezzlement scheme totaling $125,721.72. Alicia Yvonne McKenzie, 39, of Rivas Estate in Dangriga, appeared before Belize City Magistrate’s Court following her arrest by Inspector Henry Thomas.
The alleged financial misconduct occurred between April 8 and August 15, 2025, during which McKenzie reportedly manipulated online payment systems to divert hotel funds to her personal Belize Bank account. The scheme was uncovered through meticulous financial auditing initiated by Financial Controller Indira Lumor, who detected irregularities in vendor confirmation forms and payment records.
Lumor’s investigation revealed a pattern of suspicious transactions where multiple vendor payments were routed to the same bank account number—later identified as belonging to McKenzie. The discovery prompted a comprehensive review that uncovered numerous unauthorized transactions systematically executed over several months.
Following formal charges, the court set bail at $10,000 with two sureties of $5,000 each. As part of her bail conditions, McKenzie surrendered her passport to the Clerk of Court to prevent international travel. The defendant did not enter a plea during today’s proceedings, with the case adjourned until February 12, 2026 for further hearing.
The case highlights growing concerns about internal financial controls within hospitality organizations and the vulnerability of digital payment systems to manipulation by authorized personnel with detailed knowledge of accounting procedures.