KINGSTON, Jamaica — Four suspects have been arrested in connection with what the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) says is an investigation into an $80 million smishing fraud at the National Commercial Bank (NCB).

The suspects were arrested in a Tuesday morning operation involving MOCA supported by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force St Andrew South, Kingston Eastern, and St Catherine South and North divisions.

The four, who are accused of stealing over $80,000,000 through phishing, smishing, and vishing attacks between April 2022 and December 2023, are alleged to have defrauded eight NCB account holders by transferring the funds to 23 beneficiaries who were involved in the scheme.

The four are expected to be charged shortly.

Phishing and smishing scams refer to the use of fraudulent emails and texts respectively, fashioned to mirror a legitimate company’s communication with the aim of soliciting the victim’s access information.

Director of Communications at MOCA, Major Basil Jarrett, said the operation and subsequent arrests underline the important work of the agency’s Cybercrime Investigation Unit, in light of the growing threat of cyber and cyber-enabled crimes.

Jarrett also urged the public to remain vigilant in their cyber activities by checking the legitimacy of their communications and the online entities that they are doing business with and taking steps to secure their confidential information online, especially as we go into the busy Christmas season.

He also encouraged members of the public who have information on this and other types of illegal cyber activity, to call the MOCA tip line at 888-MOCA-TIP (888-662-2847).