MOCA TO CHARGE SIX SUSPECTS IN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CYBER CRIME INVESTIGATION

Teams from the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), have so far arrested six persons following a series of coordinated targeted operations spanning six locations across four parishes, in connection with an ongoing investigation into a multi-million dollar cyber-attack.

According to Major Basil Jarrett, Director of Communications at MOCA, MOCA Agents, with operational support from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), conducted the operations from last night into this morning, targeting six locations across the parishes of St Elizabeth, Clarendon, St Catherine and Kingston. The six suspects are alleged to be involved in a multi-million dollar smishing scam, targeting an elderly customer of the National Commercial Bank.

The persons arrested are believed to have stolen USD $45,000 and JMD $7.4 million and distributed the funds to a number of beneficiaries using a sophisticated smishing scam. Smishing is a cyber-attack that uses fake mobile text messages to trick persons into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information or sending money to cybercriminals. The attacks are alleged to have taken place in March last year.

Major Jarrett says that the six are expected to be charged shortly.