标签： Jamaica

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).

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Jamaica faces a complex public safety dichotomy as dramatically declining murder rates coincide with an alarming surge in security force-related fatalities, according to human rights advocates.

Mickel Jackson, Executive Director of Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), acknowledged the nation’s remarkable progress in reducing homicides during her Human Rights Day address. “This year has witnessed a historic decline in murders, with projections indicating some of the lowest homicide figures in decades,” Jackson stated. “These achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between security forces and communities working to restore peace across our island.”

However, this progress stands in stark contrast to a disturbing trend in state-involved fatalities. Official data reveals that security force-involved deaths have reached 289 as of December 8, 2025—marking the highest figure in over a decade and representing a 68 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when Jamaica recorded 172 such fatalities.

The human rights organization has expressed serious concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and the inconsistent implementation of body-worn camera technology within security operations. Despite facing opposition, including disparaging remarks, threats, and intimidation following peaceful protests in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, JFJ remains committed to its advocacy mission.

Jackson emphasized the fundamental principles enshrined in Jamaica’s Constitution, noting that the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms represents a solemn promise that human rights are inviolable and no power exists above the law. Quoting Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Drum Major Instinct’ sermon, she called for redirecting the desire for significance into active service for justice.

The executive director urged citizens to engage in rigorous accountability measures, including reporting violations, supporting affected families, demanding oversight, and holding authorities accountable. “Let us choose lawful force and rigorous accountability over excessive force and impunity,” Jackson advocated. “We must make human dignity the lived reality—not the exception—for every single Jamaican.”

A dramatic aviation incident unfolded on a Florida highway Monday evening when a single-engine aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing directly onto a passenger vehicle. The Beechcraft Baron 55, experiencing critical engine failure approximately at 5:40 PM local time, attempted to utilize a busy thoroughfare as an impromptu landing strip. During the desperate maneuver, the aircraft ultimately collided with an automobile traveling along the roadway. Emergency services promptly responded to the scene following reports of the mid-highway collision. While the vehicle’s operator sustained injuries requiring hospital transport, medical officials confirmed these were non-life-threatening. Remarkably, both the pilot and sole passenger aboard the aircraft emerged completely unscathed from the incident. Aviation authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the mechanical failure and subsequent emergency landing procedure.

NEW YORK — A devastating traffic incident in Queens has cut short the homecoming plans of a retired correctional officer, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety and unlicensed vehicle operation in New York City.

Trevor Lloyd Samuels, 68, a former Department of Correctional Services officer and father of five, was fatally struck by a moped while crossing at the intersection of 168th Street and 93rd Avenue in Jamaica, Queens on December 5. The Springfield Gardens resident was engaged in final shopping preparations for what would have been his first visit to Jamaica in three years.

According to police reports, the collision involved Yunior Buleje Rodriguez, 26, of Richmond Hill, who was operating the two-wheeled vehicle without proper licensing. Authorities apprehended Rodriguez at the scene and charged him with aggravated, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

The Daily News revealed that Samuels had planned to depart for Jamaica on December 9, carrying gifts for family members and friends affected by Hurricane Melissa. The trip also included intentions to attend a colleague’s funeral service.

Kievette Samuels, the eldest of his children, described her father as possessing extraordinary recall abilities, capable of vividly recounting events from half a century past. The retired correctional officer had previously served in the medical section of Kingston’s General Penitentiary.

Samuels’ personal story reflects transnational family connections—four of his children remain in Jamaica, while his nonagenarian mother resides in Florida. He is survived by five grandchildren in addition to his immediate family.

While expressing acknowledgment that the arrest cannot reverse her loss, Kievette Samuels noted her satisfaction that investigative measures had been implemented following the tragic incident.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A Kingston courtroom became the stage for a legal debate over the distinction between occupational tools and prohibited weapons this Tuesday. Oneil Thompson, a local tradesman, entered a guilty plea with explanation before Chief Parish Judge Chester Brooks in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court. The charge stemmed from his possession of a ratchet knife, which authorities classified as an offensive weapon.

Thompson presented his defense by asserting the implement was essential for his profession, describing it unequivocally as “a working knife” integral to his trade. The judicial proceedings took an intriguing turn when Judge Brooks questioned the defendant about initially telling police officers he carried the blade for self-defense during his arrest.

In a nuanced rebuttal, Thompson revealed that law enforcement personnel themselves had conceded the tool’s inadequacy for personal protection. This admission formed the cornerstone of his argument that the instrument should be recognized as vocational equipment rather than a weapon.

The court ultimately rendered its verdict, imposing a financial penalty of $2,000 Jamaican dollars with an alternative sentence of 15 days imprisonment should the fine remain unpaid. The case highlights ongoing legal interpretations surrounding tool possession and public safety regulations in urban environments.