MOCA arrests three in multi-million dollar fraud investigation affecting several financial institutions

The Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) arrested three suspects last week in connection with a massive multi-million dollar fraud investigation affecting several financial institutions across the island.

The suspects, a 44-year-old man and two women, ages 37 and 40, were nabbed following a series of coordinated operations across several parishes between January 13 and 16.

A statement from MOCA says the man was arrested at his Kingston address last Wednesday, while the women were arrested in Montego Bay and Portmore, last Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

The three persons are suspected of carrying out what investigators describe as an elaborate and highly sophisticated multi-million-dollar fraud scheme targeting several financial institutions between January 2023 and April 2024.

According to Director of Communications at MOCA, Major Basil Jarrett, the arrests represent a major breakthrough in a very unique, elaborate and complex fraud case that has been on the agency’s radar for at least two years.

The three are expected to be charged later this week with various offences including breaches of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), breaches of the Forgery Act and breaches of the Law Reform for Fraudulent Transaction, Special Provisions Act, among others.

Major Jarrett said more details will be provided as soon as the three are charged.

He is also reminding persons who have information on financial and other organized crime to report it to the agency’s tip hot line at 888 MOCA TIP.