TWO MORE ARRESTS IN MOCA MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PHISHING INVESTIGATION

 The Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) has arrested two more persons in connection with the ongoing investigation into a $47.5 million phishing scam at the National Commercial Bank (NCB).

The latest suspects to be arrested are a 25-year-old male of Cassava Piece, Kingston, and a 24-year-old woman of Gregory Park, Portmore. The man was picked up a short while ago at his Cassava Piece Road address, while the woman was arrested yesterday at her home in Gregory Park, following early morning operations conducted by MOCA agents and officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF).

According to Major Basil Jarrett, Director of Communications at MOCA, the lawmen went to both suspects’ residence to execute search and arrest warrants. Both persons were detained during the operation and a number of evidentiary items also seized. The suspects are expected to be charged subsequently.

These latest arrests bring to 14, the total number of persons held in connection with the massive cyber-crime which fleeced NCB customers of over $47 million dollars. The offences took place between April and June 2022, when members of an organized crime syndicate targeted 16 NCB accounts in a phishing scam and transferred the funds to a number of beneficiaries’ accounts.

“Today’s arrests are a demonstration of MOCA’s commitment to bringing everyone involved in this massive crime before the courts”, said Jarrett, adding that “fraud and other cyber-crimes of this nature are high on MOCA’s agenda due to their increasing occurrence in the criminal underworld”. He also thanked MOCA’s JCF partners for their support in the operations.

According to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica in its latest Jamaica National Crime Victimisation Survey (JNCVS) which was published last week, there were 88,108 incidents of bank/consumer fraud reported in 2023, an indication that white-collar crimes are becoming just as prevalent as street crimes. 

Major Jarrett is urging the public therefore to continue to remain vigilant in their online activities and to report any suspicious activities involving financial transactions to the MOCA’s tip line at 888-MOCA-TIP.