The police have arrested J.M. and his girlfriend A.M. in an investigation into the alleged sale of two iPhones via Facebook. Two buyers transferred down payments but did not receive the phones offered. The account holder, M.N., was initially also arrested, but was released after questioning.
The case came to light after two victims separately filed reports of fraud and embezzlement. An iPhone 15 Pro Max and an iPhone 13 Pro Max were offered for sale via Facebook for considerable amounts in Surinamese dollars.
After the interested parties had shown interest, they received a Finabank account number in M.N.’s name via WhatsApp. The buyers subsequently transferred down payments to this bank account. When the phones were not delivered, they went to the police.
Account made available to son
Members of the intelligence service identified M.N. and arrested him on Wednesday, September 9, together with the Regio Bijstand Team Paramaribo.
During questioning, M.N. stated that he had made his bank account available to his son J.M. and the latter’s girlfriend A.M. According to him, the two worked for an online company and would receive considerable sums through the account as salary.
Following this statement, J.M. and his girlfriend were summoned by the Fraud Department and were also arrested. According to the police, the pair confirmed that M.N.’s account was being used.
Money converted into US dollars
J.M. and A.M. stated that they bought US dollars with the amounts received. The money was then transferred to a digital wallet address of their alleged employer.
The two further stated that they had worked for the online company since June 2026, but had never received a salary. The alleged employer has reportedly been unreachable since the end of June.
After consultation with the Openbaar Ministerie (Public Prosecution Service), J.M. and A.M. were remanded in custody on suspicion of fraud, embezzlement, co-perpetration and complicity. M.N. was allowed to go home after questioning. The police are continuing the investigation.
