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Jamaican police suspect as many as 800 cardholders made unauthorized ATM withdrawals

January 11, 2004

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaican police are now seeking as many as 800 bank customers in connection with a series of unauthorized ATM withdrawals; the Fraud Squad has already filed charges against 12 persons alleged to have fleeced the Trinidadian-owned RBTT Bank of an estimated $23 million (U.S. $382,950).

(See related story Jamaican police investigating unauthorized ATM withdrawals)

According to a report in the Jamaica Gleaner, simple larceny charges were filed Jan. 7 against Bjorn McHardy, 20; Trevor Chin, 25; Andre Brown, 22; Anthony Chen; Gregory Scarlett, 23; Frank Chambers, 30; Maurice Ottey, 28; Christian Fray, 20; Nicholas Rasinski, 22; Anthonile Tenant, 19; Omar Messam; and Omar Hennis, 21.

A 1995 Honda Civic and $1 million (U.S. $16,650) in cash were recovered from Messam, who reportedly bought the car with money he withdrew from ATMs.

Chin was also charged with conspiracy to defraud and receiving stolen property. According to the police, most of the money stolen in Montego Bay was found in his possession.

The Gleanerreported that Fraud Squad began its investigations in Montego Bay after it was reported to them that the RBTT's branch, in the western city, had been robbed of nearly $4 million (U.S. $66,600) by account holders in St. James.

Investigations revealed that a number of thefts, which occurred between Dec. 25 and Dec. 26, amounted to more than $20 million (U.S. $330,000) and extended across the island.

Police believe bank customers used their RBTT debit cards to withdraw monies that were not in their personal accounts.

Detective Inspector Fitz Bailey, told the Gleaner that $3 million of the money stolen in St. James has been recovered, which puts the total recovered to about $4 million (U.S. $66,600).