The Fraud Division of the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigation Branch (CTOC) has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against financial crimes, arresting and charging seven individuals in connection with a sophisticated banking scam.
The scam, which targeted a customer of a bank, involved unknown culprits posing as bank representatives, both electronically and in-person.
The scammers used the information obtained during this misrepresentation to gain access to the customer's bank account, stealing a total of USD$63,871.87 and JMD$10,162,468.00.
Seven suspects have since been charged with receiving stolen property as it was alleged that they received some of the stolen funds.
Charged are:
Natanya Murray, 21-year-old, a security officer of Laburnum Court, Portsmouth, St. Catherine.
Jamiela O'Connor, 19- year-old, of Hamstead Avenue, Kingston. Rojourn Bowler, 21-year-old, of Tarrant Drive, Kingston 10.
Rojhe Marthluck, 21-year-old, a janitor of Cadot Close, Kingston.
Christopher Fellows, 42-year-old, a security officer of Wild Street, Kingston. Brithany Smith, 23-year-old, a trainer of Braeton Meadows, St. Catherine
Michael Williams, 28-year-old, a carpenter of Old Braeton, St. Catherine
All seven suspects are set to appear in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on January 31.
The Fraud Division advises customers of financial institutions to be cautious of individuals posing as representatives of these entities and to refrain from supplying personal banking information to unknown persons.
Additionally, bank customers are being advised not to grant access to their bank accounts to receive fraudulently obtained funds.
The police are urging anyone with information about this scam or other similar crimes to come forward and assist in the investigation. Investigations into this matter are ongoing with the aim of dismantling larger criminal networks.
