The Financial Investigations Division (FID) is again warning Jamaicans not to allow their bank accounts to be used to receive, move, or withdraw funds on behalf of others, following the arrest and charge of three individuals in connection with a sophisticated multimillion-dollar bank fraud and suspected money mule operation.

The accused, Ashanti Johnson, Kevin Bentley and David Brevett – aged 24, 37 and 54 years respectively –were arrested and charged under the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Larceny Act, and the Cyber Crimes Act after coordinated operations carried out between March 17 and 19, 2026 across Kingston, St. Andrew and Clarendon, the FID said in a release on Monday.

The operations were conducted by the FID in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Specialized Investigations Branch, as well as personnel from the St Andrew South and St Andrew North police divisions. The three were offered station bail and are scheduled to appear in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on April 10, 2026.

Investigators allege that the accused participated in a criminal scheme involving unauthorised access to bank accounts and the transfer of funds into accounts maintained by the suspects.

According to the FID, this type of activity reflects a common pattern in financial crimes in which proceeds obtained through fraud are quickly funnelled through seemingly legitimate personal or business accounts in an effort to disguise their origin, frustrate investigators, and distance the main perpetrators from the stolen funds.

The case also highlights a vulnerability within the banking and wider financial sector where criminals actively exploit established customer accounts, digital banking channels, and the appearance of ordinary transactions to move illicit proceeds into the formal financial system. Once criminal funds are deposited into legitimate accounts, they may then be withdrawn, transferred onward, split across multiple accounts, or used in other transactions designed to conceal the money trail.

In many cases, the account holder is either a willing participant or someone who has been manipulated, recruited, or deceived into acting as a money mule, according to the FID.

Commenting on the matter, Chief Technical Director of the FID, Dennis Chung, said “Fraudsters and money launderers rely on established accounts to move illicit funds at scale. The use of money mule accounts helps to conceal key players in criminal networks. The public is urged to exercise proper due diligence when accepting deposits on behalf of others, particularly when it involves sharing debit cards or PINs.

“The Proceeds of Crime Act defines criminal property as property obtained through criminal conduct and criminalises all handling of such property,” he continued, adding “If you possess, transfer, or facilitate the retention of criminal property, you will be charged.”

The FID is especially urging young professionals, job seekers, and unemployed persons to be cautious. Criminal networks often target people with promises of easy money, part-time “payment processing” work, or requests to “help move funds” using personal bank accounts. What may appear to be a harmless favour or quick financial opportunity can make someone a key link in a fraud or money laundering chain.

Common warning signs of money mule activity include:
– being asked to receive or transfer money through your bank account on behalf of someone else
– opening a bank account in your name for another person to use
– receiving large or unexplained deposits and being instructed to withdraw or forward the funds
– being asked to hand over your debit card, online banking credentials, or PIN
– being promised payment for allowing your account to be used for transactions you do not fully understand.

The FID is reminding the public that ignorance is not a defence where criminal property is concerned. Persons who allow their accounts to be used in these arrangements may expose themselves to arrest, prosecution, and the long-term consequences of criminal charges.

Jamaicans are being strongly urged to strengthen their financial awareness, question suspicious requests involving money transfers, and refuse any arrangement that requires them to move funds for another person without a clear, lawful, and verifiable reason. Public education and vigilance remain critical in disrupting the use of money mules and protecting the integrity of Jamaica’s financial system.