A member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) was arrested Tuesday in connection to a sophisticated phishing scam that swindled over $47 million from the National Commercial Bank (NCB).
The soldier was arrested around 10:00 a.m. during a joint operation by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) and the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Branch (CTOC) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
The JDF member was subsequently taken to his Kingston home, and the property was searched, as per reports citing information from MOCA. Another suspect was also apprehended, and their residence was searched. According to a report, the authorities seized electronic devices during the search.
According to a report, the bank was defrauded between April and June 2022. The allegations state an online phishing scam was used to target several NCB accounts. The funds inside the accounts were illegally accessed and transferred to multiple accounts listed as beneficiaries. Afterwards, these accounts transferred the illegally obtained funds to different banking institutions or withdrew them.
Major Basil Jarrett, Director of Communications at MOCA, showed JDF gratitude for collaborating and showing that it will not tolerate members partaking in illicit activities. Major Basil Jarrett noted that the JDF is determined to maintain its long history of discipline and integrity.
