Six charged by Fraud Squad for alleged fraudulent activities so far this year

The Fraud Squad says it has been making progress in combatting phishing and smishing activities targeting local bank account holders, arresting and charging six people for various offences involving funds amounting to just under $6 million, since the start of the year.

Smishing is the fraudulent practice of sending text messages purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.

Phishing is doing so via email.

The persons charged up to January 25 are Odean Watson, Dahjean Daley, Shadessa Thomas, Camoya Hunter, Nicholas Neisbeth and Jewel Williams.

The offences for which they are charged include unauthorised access to computer data, simple larceny, conspiracy to defraud, unlawfully making data/device available for the commission of an offence and breaches of the proceeds of crime act.

"These arrests underscore our commitment to protecting our citizens from these evolving cyber threats. We are determined to stay ahead of these illicit activities and ensure the safety and security of all bank account holders," the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) said in a media release on Friday.

The police are urging members of the public to report any suspicious activities to the authorities immediately.

"Your cooperation is vital in our collective fight against these complex and damaging crimes," the CCU said.

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