KINGSTON, Jamaica — Fraud Squad detectives in western Jamaica say they are probing two fraud schemes in which business owners have been fleeced of over J$2.4 million and US$47,000.
In one scheme, men claiming to be contractors employed by the National Water Commission (NWC) tendered cheques at supermarkets, cambios and other cheque-changing facilities. The men presented fraudulent identification cards resembling the NWC company-ID, and fake cheques which were encashed totalling over $2.4 million by the business places, the police say.
The cheques bear the serial numbers 117833, 117836, 117852, 117855-9, and 117905-6.
Another US$47, 000 has been lost in a scheme that preys on business owners utilizing online banking options. This has hit operators based in Montego Bay, St James; Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland and Duncans, Trelawny, the police report.
The crooks target companies to which a line of credit has been extended by overseas suppliers, sending emails which claim that the bank is experiencing difficulties and requests that deposits are made to a new account.
Two men have so far been arrested in the probe and the police are urging members of the public to take all necessary precautions when conducting business, whether online or in person.
