Detectives from the Fraud Squad are actively pursuing additional suspects believed to be involved in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme at one of the island’s commercial banks. So far, seven men from the Corporate Area have been arrested and charged for their alleged roles in a scam that has reportedly amassed $10 million.
In a significant move, Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell revoked bail for five of the accused—Alex Reid, Donnoy Clarke, Michael Reid, Jahleel Sharras, and Javian Reid—expressing deep concern about the scale and frequency of such offenses.
“I cannot extend your bail,” Judge Burrell stated. “We have too many of these offenses. We are overwhelmed by money laundering offenses, and a message needs to be sent. All of this affects a wider part of society. These offenses are too prevalent, and I have already started locking up people.”
Prosecutors outlined that one of the accused, Steven Oakley, approached the others with a purported business opportunity, instructing them to provide their banking information, including usernames and passwords for online access. With this access, Oakley allegedly created false pay slips and job letters to support credit card applications.
The court heard that Michael Reid and another accused, Romone Thompson, each obtained three credit cards, while Clarke acquired two. According to prosecutors, Michael Reid withdrew $900,000, Thompson withdrew $1.4 million, and Clarke took over $800,000 from ATM withdrawals.
Following these withdrawals, the suspects reportedly claimed their credit cards were missing and approached the banks to inquire about the freezing of their accounts.
“What a brazen act. The fancy outfits tell me how brazen they are, with palm tree shorts and glasses. One of them was even seen on CCTV smiling at the ATM,” Judge Burrell remarked.
When Oakley was arrested and cautioned, he allegedly confessed, “Offica, me ago tell yuh the truth. Dem nuh involved, a me make the bank statements, job letter and pay slip dem.” Oakley faces charges of possession of identity information and is jointly charged with others for unlawfully making available devices and data for committing an offense and conspiracy to defraud.
“I have to start locking up the people who claim they didn’t know anything or have no idea how money got into their account, or who say a friend just asked for their banking information or that they lost their bank card without reporting it stolen. It’s called money laundering, and you can be charged under the Proceeds of Crime Act,” the judge warned.
Alex Reid, Michael Reid, Clarke, Sharras, and Javian Reid will remain in custody alongside Oakley and Thompson, as they have been remanded until November 21, when the case is set for mention. The men are also subjects of fingerprint orders.
