KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican police have arrested and charged a 52-year-old man in connection with an overseas employment scam that allegedly defrauded more than 200 people of approximately $7 million.
The accused, Horace Haughton, also known as “Dr Perez” or “Dr Maddison,” was apprehended in St. Andrew on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Police said Haughton, who has no fixed address, had been listed multiple times on the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Wanted Wednesdays campaign.
Detectives from the Fraud Squad within the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC), working alongside officers from the Half Way Tree Police Station, carried out the arrest. Authorities said Jamaica Eye surveillance footage played a critical role in locating and intercepting Haughton’s vehicle in the Half Way Tree area.
Haughton has been charged with several offences, including conspiracy to defraud, engaging in transactions involving criminal property, obtaining money by false pretence, operating an employment agency without a licence, unlawfully making devices or data available for criminal activity, and two counts of receiving stolen property.
Investigators allege that between August and October 2025, Haughton and an associate, Sharlene Edwards, operated an unregistered business that promised overseas employment opportunities. More than 200 applicants reportedly paid fees totaling over $7 million, but the promised jobs never materialized, prompting victims to report the matter to police.
Edwards was arrested in November 2025 and remains in custody. She is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 22, 2026.
Superintendent Victor Barrett of C-TOC said the arrest sends a strong message as the new year begins.
“There will be no safe haven for those who exploit the hopes and aspirations of hardworking Jamaicans,” Barrett said. “We are increasing our use of technology and partnerships to track down fraudsters, and we will aggressively pursue the forfeiture of assets obtained through criminal activity.”
The Constabulary Financial Unit of C-TOC is assisting with efforts to seize assets linked to the alleged fraud.
