标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Three individuals have been found guilty in the Corporate Area Parish Court for their involvement in a sophisticated $61-million fraud and money-laundering operation. The scheme, which utilized SIM-swap tactics and money mules, targeted victims’ bank accounts, siphoning substantial funds. The convictions stem from a 2021 report by a local financial institution, which prompted a collaborative investigation led by the Financial Investigations Division (FID) alongside the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). The probe also involved specialized units such as the Constabulary Financial Unit (CFU) and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA).

The convicted individuals, aged between 25 and 32, include two customer service representatives and a self-employed man. Their roles varied from granting unauthorized access to computer systems to facilitating financial transactions involving illicit funds. Sentencing is scheduled for November 6, 2025. The charges include unauthorized access to computer data, engaging in transactions with criminal property, and providing devices or data for unlawful activities.

Investigators revealed that the operation relied on SIM-swap fraud, where victims lost control of their mobile numbers through social engineering. Perpetrators then hijacked online banking profiles, diverting funds into accounts controlled by money mules who swiftly withdrew the cash to hinder recovery efforts. In total, nine individuals are implicated in the scheme, with six still awaiting trial. The accused span various professions, including an accountant, account associate, and legal filing clerk, highlighting the widespread nature of such cyber-enabled crimes.

Keith Darien, Principal Director of Financial Crimes Investigations at the FID, emphasized the success of Jamaica’s integrated law-enforcement approach. He noted that joint operations, training, and policy improvements have significantly enhanced the detection, interception, and prosecution of offenders. Darien also reiterated the importance of the FID’s ongoing Money Mule public-education campaign, urging individuals to avoid allowing their bank accounts or identities to be used for criminal activities, warning of severe consequences.

Gerry Murray, a celebrated former footballer for Kingston College (KC) and Real Mona, passed away on September 15 at his residence in Red Hills, St Andrew. He was 75 years old. His younger brother, Richie Murray, confirmed the news in an interview with Observer Online, though the cause of death remains undisclosed.

Murray’s football journey began at Jamaica College, where he studied until fifth form before transferring to KC. He played a pivotal role in KC’s 1967 Manning Cup victory, scoring a crucial goal in the 2-0 final triumph over Excelsior High School. His talent earned him a scholarship to Michigan State University, where he pursued mechanical engineering and played alongside notable teammates, including Trevor “Jumpy” Harris, Tony Keyes, and Lennox Robinson.

In the 1970s, Murray transitioned to a defensive role with Real Mona, sharing the field with players like Stewart Stephenson, Peter Moses, and Ian Bond. Stephenson, a childhood friend, remembered Murray as an intense and competitive player who despised losing. Stratton Palmer, Murray’s strike partner from the 1967 KC team, described him as a quiet, soft-spoken individual deeply passionate about football.

Born in Browns Town, St Ann, Murray and his brothers moved to Mona in the early 1960s, settling near Buttercup Park, the community’s football field. Alongside Stephenson, Murray contributed to Real Mona’s victories in the Masters League competitions of 1990 and 1993.

Murray is survived by his wife Carmen, children Omari and Melissa, four grandchildren, and his extended family. A thanksgiving service will be held on October 18 at the Church of The Ascension in Mona, St Andrew, to honor his life and legacy.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant move to bolster Jamaica’s cultural and creative sectors, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Olivia Grange presented a Green Paper on the National Policy for Culture, Entertainment, and the Creative Economy in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The policy outlines a visionary framework aimed at fostering a just, inclusive, and innovative society while preserving the nation’s rich heritage and cultural diversity.

CLARENDON, Jamaica — In a chilling turn of events, the decomposed body of a missing 13-year-old student, Santina Sergeant, was discovered on Monday evening in a burnt-out refrigerator behind her family home in Baillieston, Clarendon. The grim discovery has sent shockwaves through the community and her school, Christiana High in Manchester. Sergeant, who had recently transferred from Excelsior High, was reported missing by her father on Friday, October 3. A search team from the Christiana Police Station located the body in an advanced state of decomposition, hidden in bushes under a zinc sheet near the refrigerator. The school has arranged grief counseling for students and staff as they grapple with the loss of a young life. The incident has cast a sombre mood over the community, with authorities continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A somber atmosphere envelops the community of Craighead, Manchester, following the tragic death of 39-year-old farmer Orlando Murray, affectionately known as “Dussy.” On Tuesday afternoon, Murray was discovered lifeless, hanging from a pimento tree with a sheet secured around his neck. The grim discovery occurred between 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm, leaving residents in shock. According to a police report, the incident is being treated as a suspected suicide. Barrington Murray, the deceased’s uncle, expressed disbelief, stating that his nephew had shown no signs of depression. Described as a diligent and hardworking farmer, Orlando Murray’s untimely demise has left many questioning the circumstances. His uncle revealed that Murray had been grappling with emotional distress following the end of a romantic relationship, which he referred to as a “broken heart.” The community now mourns the loss of a dedicated individual while grappling with the complexities of mental health and personal struggles.

A tragic incident unfolded in Westmoreland, Jamaica, on Monday, leaving a 15-year-old student from the Llandilo School of Special Education in critical condition. The teenager was struck by a minivan while attempting to cross the Sheffield main road. The accident, captured in a widely circulated social media video, shows the boy moving erratically across the roadway before trying to leap to the opposite side. Unfortunately, he was hit by an oncoming vehicle. A local resident promptly transported the injured boy to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, which has sparked concerns about road safety in the area.