Three arrested in $17m fraud at HEART/NSTA Trust
Published:Saturday | November 30, 2024 | 12:09 AM
The Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) has so far charged two of the three persons arrested in yesterday’s early morning targeted operations in Montego Bay, St James; and Portmore, St Catherine.
MOCA revealed that the charges are in relation to a $17 million fraud investigation at the HEART/NSTA Trust.
Former HEART/NSTA Trust employee Simoes Ellis, of Gregory Park, Portmore, is charged with larceny as a servant, possession of criminal property and conspiracy. And Kevina Atkins, another former employee of the entity and a resident of Salt Spring, St James, is charged with the offences of receiving stolen property, possession of criminal property and conspiracy to defraud.
Both are to appear before the St James Parish Court on December 4.
At approximately 5:00 a.m. yesterday, law enforcement officers went to two residences – one in Montego Bay and the other in Portmore – in search of three persons suspected to be involved in the multimillion-dollar crime.
One suspect was found and held at the Portmore location, and the other two at their home in Montego Bay. MOCA said all three were detained prior to a search of their respective premises which turned up a number of evidential items which were subsequently seized.
Director of Communications at MOCA, Major Basil Jarrett, said the operation was the result of “the diligent and painstaking work of MOCA’s investigators and demonstrates the agency’s commitment to combating fraud and other financial crimes”.
Jarrett is urging members of the public to report any suspicious activities involving financial transactions to the agency’s tip line at 888-MOCA-TIP.