In a major crackdown on corruption, the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) has arrested four individuals in connection with a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited.
The arrests were made during a series of operations across the Corporate Area on Monday.
According to MOCA, the scheme involved contractors and employees of Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited colluding to submit forged Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) and invoices for work purportedly completed at properties owned or managed by Sagicor Property Services.
Payments were subsequently made based on these fraudulent documents, resulting in significant financial losses for the company.
The scheme, which allegedly took place between 2016 and April 2019, was uncovered when an IPC and accompanying invoices were submitted by the owner of a construction company for payment. Upon processing these documents, it was discovered that they had been forged, including the signatures of authorised signing officers.
MOCA’s Director of Communications, Major Basil Jarrett, emphasized the agency’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption and fraud.
“This morning’s operation underscores MOCA’s dedication to safeguarding the integrity of Jamaica’s corporate sector and protecting businesses from internal and external threats,” he said.
The agency is working closely with Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited to uncover the full extent of the fraud.
For its part, Sagicor has stated that it maintains a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and is cooperating fully with the investigation.
