A Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldier has been arrested for his role in a sophisticated phishing scam that defrauded the National Commercial Bank (NCB) of more than $47 million.
The scam reportedly took place between April and June 2022, where funds were illicitly accessed from multiple NCB accounts through an online phishing scheme. The stolen money was then transferred to various beneficiary accounts and later withdrawn or channeled into other financial institutions.
The soldier, suspected of being involved in a broader organized criminal syndicate, was apprehended by law enforcement around 10 a.m. today. Authorities also conducted a search of his residence in Kingston, seizing several electronic devices. They also searched another property linked to a second suspect, who is already in custody. Investigators expect to press charges soon.
Major Basil Jarrett, Director of Communications at the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), emphasized the importance of the arrest in dismantling organized crime networks. He stated, “This operation demonstrates MOCA’s commitment, alongside law enforcement partners, to tackle complex financial crimes. It highlights the essential role of intelligence, investigation, and technology in addressing cyber-enabled financial crimes.”
The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to pursue leads in connection with this large-scale fraud.
