Jamaican law enforcement has made significant breakthroughs in a major financial cybercrime case, apprehending four individuals linked to an elaborate $80 million fraud scheme targeting National Commercial Bank (NCB) customers. The arrests culminated from a coordinated Tuesday morning operation conducted by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) with support from multiple divisions of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
The sophisticated criminal operation, active between April 2022 and December 2023, employed a combination of phishing, smishing (SMS phishing), and vishing (voice phishing) tactics to compromise bank accounts. According to investigative findings, the group successfully defrauded eight NCB account holders by illicitly transferring funds to 23 accomplices who participated in the money laundering scheme.
Major Basil Jarrett, MOCA’s Director of Communications, emphasized that these arrests highlight the critical effectiveness of the agency’s Cybercrime Investigation Unit in combating the escalating threat of cyber-enabled financial crimes. The case represents one of Jamaica’s most substantial digital banking fraud investigations to date.
With the Christmas season approaching—a period typically marked by increased financial transactions and potential vulnerability to scams—Jarrett issued a public advisory urging enhanced vigilance. He recommended that citizens verify the authenticity of all financial communications and implement robust security measures to protect confidential information online.
Authorities have indicated that formal charges against the four suspects are imminent. Meanwhile, MOCA continues to encourage public cooperation, inviting individuals with information on cybercrimes to contact their tip line at 888-MOCA-TIP (888-662-2847).