ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The St Catherine police on Friday arrested and charged six women in relation to incidents of fraud stemming from ongoing intensive investigations.
Charged with possession of identity information, simple larceny and conspiracy to defraud are 37-year-old Latoya Walker, a customer service representative of Gordon Pen; 39-year-old Shavelle Whyte, a pump attendant of Kitson Town; 27-year-old Onequea Morrison of Princess Field district in Linstead; 25-year-old Ihesha Campbell, a customer service representative of High Mountain, Bog Walk; and 19-year-old Teresa Douglas of New Nursery, Twickenham Park, all of St Catherine.
According to police reports, in October and December 2023, the women, who worked at a gas station, conducted several unauthorised transactions by entering card information without the presence of a physical debit or credit card.
The amount involved is said to be over $1,100,000.
The police said the fraud was detected by the bank’s Fraud Prevention Unit whilst conducting investigations based on reports made to them by customers whose cards were compromised.
The ladies were arrested, and after an interview session in the presence of their lawyer, they were charged. They are to appear before the St Catherine Parish Court on Tuesday, June 11.
The sixth woman has been charged with possession of identity information and conspiracy to defraud.
She has been identified as 39-year-old Shari Tulloch, a cashier of Thunder Pathway, Seaview Gardens in Kingston.
Reports are that, while employed at a café between the months of February and April 2024, Tulloch allegedly took pictures of some customers’ debit and credit cards. It is reported that Tulloch then sent the photos to her accomplices who used the card information to transact unauthorised activities.
The amount involved is said to be about $1 million. The police said investigations launched led to her arrest.
Tulloch was subsequently charged following an interview session in the presence of her lawyer.
She will appear before the St Catherine Parish Court on Tuesday, June 11.
In the meantime, the police are advising card holders to always keep sight of their cards when transacting business because by so doing it limits the possibility of the card being compromised.