MOCA UNCOVERS PHISHING/ SMISHING SCAM: FOUR ARRESTED

The Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), supported by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (St. Andrew South, Kingston Eastern and St. Catherine South and North) this morning arrested four suspects in connection with an investigation into a smishing fraud at the National Commercial Bank (NCB).

The four, who are accused of stealing over J$80,000,000 through phishing, smishing and vishing attacks between April 2022 and December 2023, are alleged to have defrauded eight NCB account holders by transferring the funds to twenty-three beneficiaries who were involved in the scheme. The four are expected to charged shortly.

Phishing and smishing scams refer to the use of fraudulent emails and texts respectively, fashioned to mirror a legitimate company’s communication with the aim of soliciting the victim’s access information.  

According to Major Basil Jarrett, Director of Communications at MOCA, this morning’s operation and the subsequent arrests underline the important work of the Agency’s Cybercrime Investigation Unit, in light of the growing threat of cyber and cyber-enabled crimes. Major Jarrett also urged the public to remain vigilant in their cyber activities by checking the legitimacy of their communications and the online entities that they are doing business with and taking steps to secure their confidential information online, especially as we go into the busy Christmas season.  

He also encouraged members of the public who have information on this and other types of illegal cyber activity, to call the MOCA tip line at 888-MOCA-TIP (888-662-2847).