MOCA MAKES ANOTHER ARREST IN CONNECTION WITH THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PHISHING SCAM

Agents from the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), with assistance from the Clarendon police and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), yesterday arrested another individual in connection with the ongoing investigation into a $47.5 million phishing scam at the National Commercial Bank (NCB).

Allegations are that between April and June 2022, over $47 million were phished from 16 accounts held at the National Commercial Bank (NCB) and transferred to a number of beneficiaries’ accounts which have since been withdrawn or transferred to other banks.

According to Major Basil Jarrett, Director of Communications at MOCA, the latest suspect to be arrested is believed to be part of an organized criminal syndicate that is responsible for the theft. The individual, a female from Clarendon Park, Clarendon, was arrested at her residence following a targeted joint operation on Thursday morning. The location was subsequently searched and a number of evidentiary items recovered.

“This morning’s arrest is another clear signal that MOCA will not relent in the fight against cyber-enabled financial crimes”, said Major Jarrett. “We are committed to bringing offenders to justice, but we cannot do it alone. Strong partnerships and public cooperation remain essential to dismantling these sophisticated criminal networks and we urge anyone with information on this or other similar cyber-crimes to come forward and assist us. Organized crime thrives in silence, but together, we can shut it down,” he continued.

Major Jarrett continues to encourage members of the public to remain vigilant in their online activities and to report any suspicious activities involving financial transactions to the agency’s tip line at 888-MOCA-TIP.