Lawmen with the aid of Jamaica eye, arrested and charged a wanted man on Tuesday for his involvement in a multi-million dollar overseas employment scam.
He is 52-year-old Horace Haughton, otherwise called ‘Dr. Perez’ or ‘Dr. Maddison’ of no fixed address.
Police say he was featured multiple times on the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s wanted Wednesdays campaign.
Haughton was apprehended in St. Andrew and has been charged with several offences, including: Conspiracy to defraud, 2 counts of engaging in transactions involving criminal property, receiving stolen property, obtaining money by means of false pretence, operating an employment agency without a licence, and unlawfully making available device or data for the commission of an offence.
Police say investigations have so far revealed that between august and October last year Haughton and an associate, Sharlene Edwards, operated an unregistered business.
The pair allegedly recruited over 200 applicants, collecting fees totalling more than $7 million, under the guise of securing overseas employment.
A report was made to the police when the promised employment did not materialise.
According to the police, Edwards was previously arrested in November last year and remains in custody; she is scheduled to reappear in court on January 22.
Crucial to Haughton’s arrest was the use of Jamaica Eye CCTV footage, which led to the interception of his vehicle in the Half-Way-Tree area.
Superintendent of Police of Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC), Victor Barrett says the arrest of Haughton signals a robust start to the year for the fraud squad and C-TOC as a whole.
Superintendent Barrett said it is a new year and they are sending a clear message that there will be no safe haven for those who prey on the aspirations of hardworking Jamaicans.
He added that they are intensifying the use of technology and collaboration with their stakeholders to track down those who commit fraud.
Superintendent Barrett said cops will not only seek criminal convictions, but will aggressively pursue the forfeiture of assets gained through illicit means.
The Constabulary Financial Unit of C-TOC is supporting the investigation to treat with the forfeiture of the assets of both accused.
Meanwhile, the public is being urged to report incidents of fraud by calling C-TOC at 876-967-1389, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, Crime Stop at 311, or the nearest police station.
Related News
Central Westmoreland MP Dwayne Vaz calls on Gov't to fast track plans to assist residents ...
4-year-old child among three persons fatally shot in St. James
Vaz urges road users to exercise greater caution and responsibility when traversing the ro...
