Three persons alleged to be members of sophisticated fraud rings were arrested and charged following separate targeted, coordinated operations in Clarendon and Manchester, earlier this month. 

The constabulary force noted that it has disrupted the fraud rings and recovered millions of dollars.

In a series of swift and coordinated operations, the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s counter-terrorism and organized crime investigation branch, partnered with the Financial Investigations Division and investigators from the Manchester and Clarendon divisions to make significant in-roads against fraud rings operating across the island.

These coordinated efforts have resulted in multiple arrests and charges concerning financial crimes.

On June 17, members of C-toc’s constabulary financial unit intercepted a man attempting to withdraw funds at a commercial bank.

These funds were the proceeds of a phishing attack and social engineering scheme that had granted unauthorised access to an elderly person’s bank account, fleecing them of over $2.2m.

The accused is 28-year-old Omar Daley, an AC technician of Kingston.

Daley was arrested and charged with various offences under the cyber crimes act, proceeds of crime act and at common law.

He is scheduled to appear in the Kingston and St. Andrew parish court on Thursday, August 21.

Further targeted anti-fraud operations were carried out on Tuesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 26, in Manchester and Clarendon.

These operations targeted key members of a group believed to be responsible for a series of online frauds that defrauded a commercial bank of nearly a $100 m.

The multi-agency effort led to the arrest and charge of 27-year-old Mezon Green, a customer service representative of Manchester and 26-year-old Lavonai Livermore of Clarendon.

Both have been charged with breaches of the proceeds of crime act.

They are to appear in the Kingston and St. Andrew parish court on July 14.

Head of C-toc, acting senior superintendent of police Victor Barrett highlighted the magnitude of the crimes committed by these individuals.

He noted that bank fraud poses a serious threat to society.

He said C-toc and strategic partners, such as the FID, are fully aware of the evolving methods employed by these fraudsters.

He said the units established within the JCF to investigate and prosecute these offences, will not relent.

SSP Barrett also expressed concern regarding the involvement of young adults in these criminal activities.

He urged gifted youths to channel their talents toward nation-building rather than destructive pursuits because when caught, they will face the full extent of the law.