Man accused of fleecing several in overseas employment scam ordered to begin restitution payments
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A man with eight counts of obtaining money by false pretence levied against him, after over $800,000 was reportedly paid to him for procuring overseas employment for clients, was ordered on Monday to start making restitution.
With only five of the eight complainants present in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish court when the matter was heard, Jamaal Black was ordered to split the $600,000 he had on hand between them.
Four of the complainants were given back the $120,000 they paid over, while the other complainant received the $105,000 he paid Black.
The court was told that the complainants paid over the monies for employment overseas. However, when said employment was not forthcoming, reports were made to the police and Black was subsequently arrested.
Investigations in the matter have, however, seemingly not yet been completed as four persons, whose files were not given to the Crown, were present in court. The presiding judge, Lori-Ann Cole-Montaque, heard that the police officer the complainants had reported the matter to told had told them to go to court on Monday.
It was also revealed that the Fraud Squad would be looking into additional allegations against Black.
“The conduct of the investigation has been less than desirable, where the matters were to come before the court. In that regard, the investigative arm of the JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force] has to be chided in that respect. I am concerned with how the matters are being trickled in court,” Cole-Montaque said.
Denying the allegations, Black’s defence attorney said Black was recruiting on behalf of a man from overseas and had also helped several other people get their American vsas.
The defence attorney said most of the “records from these transactions are on his phone” and that phone is in custody. The lawyer also said his client needs the phone to access funds to repay the other complainants.
After the issue of a bail application was brought before the court, the matter was set for Thursday, June 15 to have Black’s address verified.
