MOCA ARRESTS FOUR IN SAGICOR FRAUD SCHEME

Agents from The Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), with support from the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Branch (CTOC) and other units of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), are currently involved in a series of simultaneous and coordinated operations across Kingston and St Andrew, in connection with an organized fraud scheme targeting Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited. MOCA agents are currently at the four locations carrying out search and seizure procedures, and have already arrested four persons as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of forgery and fraudulent payments involving contractors and employees of the company.

According to Major Basil Jarrett, Director of Communications at MOCA, the scheme is alleged to have taken place between 2016 and April 2019, during which time contractors employed by Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited, acting in collusion with employees of the company, submitted multiple Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) and invoices for work purportedly completed at properties owned or managed by Sagicor Property Services. Payments were subsequently made based on the fraudulent documents.

The scheme unraveled in April 2019 when an IPC and accompanying invoices were submitted by the owner of a construction company for payment. During the processing of these documents, it was discovered that they had been forged, including the signatures of authorized signing officers. MOCA’s investigation into the matter later revealed a deliberate and systematic attempt to defraud the company, resulting in this morning’s arrests.

Major Jarrett said, “this morning’s operation emphasized the agency’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption and fraud, and underscores MOCA’s dedication to safeguarding the integrity of Jamaica’s corporate sector and protecting businesses from internal and external threats. The arrests and anticipated charges are a step towards ensuring that entities like Sagicor can operate without the shadow of corruption and criminality”, he said.

MOCA continues to encourage businesses and individuals to report suspicious activities and fraudulent behavior to the authorities, and is reminding the public that fraud is a serious offense that carries significant penalties under Jamaican law.

In the meantime, the agency says it is working closely with Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited to uncover the full extent of the fraud and encourages persons with information on this and other acts of fraud to call the MOCA Tip Line at 888-MOCA-TIP.