KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jerhoden Hinds, the businessman accused of stealing over $96 million from a local bank by manipulating a point-of-sale (POS) machine, was ordered to surrender his travel documents and report to the police daily when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutors had initially sought to have Hinds remanded, alleging that the man, who is facing seven charges, could potentially influence other cases that they are working on.

However, Attorney Iqbal Cheverria, who was holding for Hinds’ lawyer Isat Buchanan, argued against putting the man behind bars claiming that the prosecution was speculating regarding his potential to influence other cases.

Instead, Cheverria entreated Senior Parish Judge Paula Blake Powell to allow Hinds to stay on bail with conditions attached.

“The remedy is not remanding Mr Hinds while the court carries out an investigation,” he said.

Cheverria also indicated the man had attempted some restitution with the bank to pay back some of the money.

Blake Powell agreed to extend bail for the accused but with strict conditions, including the surrender of his travel documents, and a daily check-in with police. A stop order has also been placed against him at all ports of entry.

Blake Powell also mandated that the prosecution be back before the courts within 30 days with any new cases filed and ready.

Hinds is charged with conspiracy to defraud, obtaining property by false pretence, concealing/disguising criminal property, access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of an offence, unauthorised access to computer data, possession of criminal property and simple larceny.

The accused, who operates Original 24K Klothing Company Limited, was arrested during an operation on May 12. A report from the Ministry of Finance alleged that between November 13 and December 28, 2022, Hinds and his co-conspirators used a POS terminal issued by the bank to conduct unauthorised offline transactions.

The report said that by bypassing the bank’s real-time authorisation system, the scheme caused the bank to unknowingly advance funds to Hinds’ bank account which were then removed via withdrawals and transfers.

READ: 25-y-o businessman charged in $96 million bank fraud scheme

Hinds is to return to court on July 14.

— Dana Malcolm