Banking Fraud Cases Rock Jamaica: Four Charged in $46 Million Scam
In a recent development, four individuals have been charged in connection with a massive cyber scheme that stole $46 million from an account at the Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) bank.
Suspects and Charges
The suspects, Sophia Dobson, Racquel Morrison, Jahsean Brown, and Everald McKenzie, are accused of engaging in various financial crimes. Dobson, 48, and Morrison, 28, both unemployed residents of Kingston 11, along with Brown, 23, an unemployed individual from Penwood Crescent, and McKenzie, 25, a warehouse supervisor from Waltham Avenue, were each charged with:
- Engaging in a transaction involving criminal property
- Facilitating a transaction involving criminal property
- Simple larceny
- Unauthorized access to computer data
- Conspiracy to defraud
Investigation and Arrests
The joint operation that led to the arrests was conducted by the Financial Investigations Division (FID), officers attached to the Constabulary Financial Unit (CFU), members of the Counter Terrorism & Organised Crime Investigations Branch (CTOC), and members of the St Andrew South Police Division. The operation stemmed from a report made to FID in March 2022 by JMMB regarding a case of unauthorized access of computer data and simple larceny.
Scheme Details
The victim, a client of JMMB, reported that over 40 wire transfers were executed on his account without his knowledge between February 15-25, 2022. The monies were transferred to the bank accounts of over 30 individuals, with most receiving accounts registered to persons mainly residing in the St Andrew South Police Division.
Investigation Findings
Investigations revealed that the victim’s account was compromised by fraudsters who changed certain security credentials, creating an online banking profile for the victim and ultimately emptying his account over a 10-day period. The investigation is ongoing, and three other beneficiaries from the scheme who were similarly charged in May 2022 are currently before the courts.
Conclusion
The $46 million scam highlights the need for individuals to be vigilant with their personal and financial information. It also underscores the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and financial institutions in combating fraud and bringing perpetrators to justice.