Two more arrested in connection with NCB $47-m phishing scam — MOCA
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two more suspects have been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into a $47.5 million phishing scam at the National Commercial Bank (NCB).
According to Major Basil Jarrett, director of communications at the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), the two suspects, believed to be part of the organised criminal syndicate responsible for the theft, were arrested at approximately 5:00 am on Wednesday.
They were arrested at their residences in Portmore, St Catherine and Havendale, Kingston. Both locations were searched and a number of evidentiary items were recovered, MOCA said.
They have not yet been identified or charged.
“This morning’s arrest is a demonstration of the ongoing work that MOCA is doing to track down the persons responsible for this major cyber-crime. It highlights our commitment to the task and once again emphasises the importance of partnerships and collaboration in dismantling organised criminal networks and in tackling such sophisticated cyber-enabled financial crimes,” Jarrett said.
It is alleged that between April and June 2022, over $47 million was phished from 16 accounts held at the National Commercial Bank (NCB) and transferred to a number of beneficiaries’ accounts which have since been withdrawn or transferred to other banks.
Last November, MOCA arrested and charged 25-year-old Garrick Lewis, a Jamaica Defence Force soldier, with the offences of acquisition of criminal property, engaging in a transaction involving criminal property, facilitating the use of criminal property and receiving stolen property in relation to the incident.
His suspected accomplice, 33-year-old Romone Thompson, who was already in police custody for separate crimes, was similarly charged and returned to custody.
READ: JDF soldier in NCB $47-m phishing scam charged
Major Jarrett is encouraging members of the public to remain vigilant in their online activities and to report any suspicious activities involving financial transactions to the agency’s tip line at 888-MOCA-TIP.
