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By Kimone Witter
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Wayne Robertson, has revealed that one person has been taken into custody in relation to a motor vehicle scam in which the scammers impersonated him and swindled members of the public of millions of dollars.
According to Mr. Robertson, three people were fleeced of $10 million, $4 million and $800,000 respectively.
One of the victims is the owner of a car mart.
The permanent secretary outlined the scheme while speaking on TVJ's Smile Jamaica on Thursday morning.
"A few months ago, we got several calls. Members of the public were concerned about getting calls and WhatsApp messages about vehicles being sold. The person or persons – I gather it's not just one – will tell people that he is the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, and that he's selling vehicles."
"So he would send WhatsApp messages with a list encompassing the various vehicles. And the prices will shock you. Maybe that's why persons quickly made deposits. I'll just give you one example, a 2020 (BMW) X6 for $4 million on the list. That doesn't make sense, does it?" Mr. Robertson explained.
He said the scammers have gone as far as affixing the ministry's logo, the National Flag and the Road to Republic's mandate – to transform Jamaica from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Republic – to their WhatsApp statuses, giving the impression that there is legitimate affiliation.
Mr. Robertson is urging members of the public to be more vigilant.
"I just want persons to be cautious and ensure that if persons call or send messages, just be careful, and don't rush to make any deposits. You cannot buy what you cannot see and verify."
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