KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Fraud Squad of the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (CTOC) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says it continues to make significant strides in the fight against electronic fraud in Jamaica.

It is reported that since the start of the year, the police have arrested a number of individuals involved in phishing and smishing activities targeting local bank account holders.

According to a release on Friday, the JCF revealed that investigators successfully arrested and charged six individuals for various offences related to fraudulent activities between January 1 and 25.

Cumulatively, police say the scams amount to just under JMD $6-million.

The individuals arrested and charged are:

• Odean Watson – J$ 900,000.00
• Dahjean Daley – J$ 92,000.00
• Shadessa Thomas – J$ 2,000,000.00
• Camoya Hunter – J$ 2,300,000.00
• Nicholas Neisbeth (charged jointly with Hunter)
• Jewel Williams – J$ 689,000.00

The JCF says these arrests underscore their commitment to protecting citizens from “evolving cyber threats.”

“We are determined to stay ahead of these illicit activities and ensure the safety and security of all bank account holders,” it said in the release. “We also wish to caution all bank account holders to remain vigilant. If you are approached to use your account to facilitate transactions by unfamiliar parties, please be aware that this could be part of a fraudulent scheme.”

“Participating in such activities, knowingly or unknowingly, can lead to serious legal consequences, including arrest, charges, and court proceedings,” the JCF continued.

The CTOC’s Fraud Squad says it is dedicated to the relentless pursuit and prosecution of individuals engaging in these illegal activities. “We are enhancing our strategies and employing advanced technologies to tackle these crimes effectively,” it stressed.