A new fraudulent scheme targeting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Belize has prompted an official warning from the country’s Ministry of Investment, just weeks after authorities noted a rise in online government impersonation scams targeting local business owners.\n\nThe scam centers around a fraudulent Facebook page operating under the name “BTS Msme Relief Hub,” which falsely claims to run a newly extended government initiative called “Tax Amnesty 2.0.” According to the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit (IPCU), the page has been actively reaching out to local MSMEs, claiming it can process applications for the supposed new amnesty program that promises tax relief and penalty waivers. However, IPCU officials confirm that no such program exists, and the page has no affiliation with any Belizean government body.\n\n“To clarify once and for all, there is currently no active MSME Tax Amnesty Programme in Belize, and no individual or third-party organization is authorized to promote, represent, or implement any such initiative on the government’s behalf,” the IPCU stated in its official alert.\n\nThe only legitimate MSME Tax Amnesty Programme rolled out by the Belizean government launched in 2025 and concluded its application period on December 31 of that same year. That program was designed to support informal small businesses in formalizing their operations with the Belize Tax Service. Eligible participants received a one-year full exemption from business tax starting from the date their formalization certificate was issued, along with a complete waiver of all accrued penalties and interest on outstanding tax obligations. All applications for the 2025 program were processed exclusively through official channels: the IPCU itself and the Belize Tax Service, with no third-party involvement at any stage of the process.\n\nIn the current scam, fraudsters are reportedly asking business owners to share sensitive personal and corporate financial information to apply for the nonexistent “Tax Amnesty 2.0.” Officials have urged all MSME operators to exercise extreme caution and avoid sharing any confidential data, including tax identification numbers, bank details, business registration documents, or owner identification, with the administrators of the fake page or any other party claiming to represent a new amnesty program.\n\nFor reference, the IPCU published the full list of approved applicants from the 2025 legitimate program on its official public Facebook page, allowing business owners to verify past participation if they have questions.\n\nAny member of the public who has encountered this scam, has already shared information with the fraudulent page, or has additional questions about active government programs for MSMEs is encouraged to contact the IPCU directly via official email at belizeInvestment@invest.gov.bz or belizeinvestment@gmail.com.