The suspects linked to the $45 million theft from the Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) were detained last evening during a multiple police operation carried out in the Corporate area. The suspects in question are currently under investigation for money laundering and fraud.

This operation was carried out after a probe was launched last year involving the Financial Investigation Division, Constabulary Financial Unit, and the Fraud Squad.

Reports indicate that the suspects who are linked to a fraud ring, illegally withdrew $45 million from a customer’s account. The money was then transferred to accounts operated by the suspects. Subsequently the bank discovered the unauthorized withdrawals and lodged a formal report to the Fraud Squad.

This incident comes weeks after a phishing and smishing scheme was uncovered at the National Commercial Bank where customers lost a total of $18 million within a period of 10 days. This scheme was carried out under the guise of emails or text messages sent from NCB in which customers were asked to click on links.

Following this, victims would reportedly receive a follow up phone call disguised as NCBs with requests for a token code that customers are required to input to access certain services. The scammers would then use the code to add themselves as beneficiaries on the customers’ accounts then transfer funds.

Since then, a plea was issued for citizens to exercise vigilance when using online platforms.