FINANCIAL Investigations Division (FID) says it secured the forfeiture of $825,000, plus accrued interest, from a Trelawny man in an identity fraud case that began two years ago.

According to FID, the money was forfeited from Jermaine Simpson, a 34-year-old tailor of a Duncans/Kettering District address, following a ruling by senior parish judge for Trelawny Vaughn Facey on Monday this week.

The agency said that on September 27, 2022, law enforcement personnel from the Trelawny Police Division, supported by members of Jamaica Defence Force, executed a search warrant at Simpson’s residence.

“Upon arrival at the property officers observed an object being thrown from an open window. The object, later identified as an Apple iPhone SE, was retrieved. It was quickly established that the phone contained a significant volume of personal identity information, including hundreds of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals residing overseas,” FID said in a news release on Tuesday.

“Further examination of the premises revealed additional evidence of fraudulent activity. Another cellular phone, an Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, was found in Simpson’s bedroom. During a thorough search $825,000 in cash was discovered hidden inside a brown paper bag in a dresser drawer. Both phones were subjected to preliminary investigations which revealed extensive records of communications with potential victims, and detailed scripts used in what appeared to be fraudulent schemes. An application called TextNow was seen on both phones, displaying a list of overseas numbers used in ongoing scams,” the agency added.

Simpson was cautioned, detained, and after being escorted to a police station his phones were further examined, “revealing additional incriminating evidence including pre-written scripts for defrauding potential victims”, FID stated.

“As a result of these discoveries Simpson was charged with knowingly possessing identity information with intent to use it, contrary to Section 10 (1) of the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act 2013. He was later offered bail, with his first court appearance in the Trelawny Parish Court scheduled for November 2, 2022. The case concluded on October 14, 2024,” FID added.

Responding to the outcome of the case, FID’s Director of Legal Services Courtney Smith said it underscores the agency’s ongoing commitment to combating financial crimes, particularly those involving identity fraud and related fraudulent activities that target vulnerable victims, both locally and overseas.

“Protecting the country’s financial system from abuse by criminals and ensuring that financial fraud does not go unchecked remains a top priority for the FID,” the release quotes Smith.

“The FID remains committed to collaborating with law enforcement partners and utilising the Proceeds of Crime Act and all available legal mechanisms. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving personal information,” he added.