KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has issued an advisory warning the public about a fraudulent message circulating online, claiming to offer an $85,000 “Christmas Cash Grant” from Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

The message reads: “President Andrew Holness JMD85,000 Christmas Cash Grant For Jamaicans” and directs recipients to click a link to claim the offer.

“This is a scam designed to trick unsuspecting individuals into clicking malicious links and sharing personal or financial information,” the JCF stated.

“At this time of year, criminals are more active in their attempts to scam and defraud individuals. These tactics often involve phishing, smishing (fraudulent text messages), and other forms of cyber-attacks”.

“Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and cautious when interacting with online messages, links, or offers that seem too good to be true,” the police warned.

The JCF provided the following advice:

• Verify before you click: Avoid clicking on links from unverified sources. Official government or corporate initiatives are always communicated through official channels.
• Protect personal information: Do not share sensitive personal or financial details, such as passwords or banking information, with unknown or suspicious sources.
• Report suspicious activity: If you encounter any fraudulent messages, report them to the JCF or your service provider immediately.

For more information or to report cybercrimes, contact the Jamaica Constabulary Force Cybercrime Unit at 876-922-3288.