The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has issued a warning to members of the public following reports of scammers posing as police officers and extorting money from persons who have sold or are planning to sell their motor vehicles.
According to the advisory, criminals are reportedly contacting motor vehicle sellers via telephone, pretending to be police officers and claiming that the vehicles they sold are stolen property. The scammers reportedly demand money while promising to prevent prosecution or reimburse their alleged buyer.
But the JCF said, under the pretence of helping the sellers avoid prosecution or reimbursing the supposed buyer, the scammers demand immediate cash payments from the sellers.
The JCF is reminding the public that no legitimate police operation involves soliciting or collecting money from citizens to settle criminal matters or reimburse third parties.
The JCF is warning that under no circumstances should any member of the public pay money to individuals making such demands over the phone.
The police adds that members of the public who received such calls should hang up immediately and report the incident to the nearest police station or Crime Stop at 311.
It said the fraudsters are also using unsuspecting rideshare drivers.
According to the police the scammers have enlisted unsuspecting rideshare drivers to collect cash from victims and transport the funds to various drop-off locations.
Ridehare operators are being cautioned that transporting proceeds of crime may implicate them in criminal activities.
Superintendent of Police Victor Barrett of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch (C-TOC) said investigators are following the reports closely.
He argued that the fraudsters are using fear and urgency to manipulate victims into bypassing their better
judgement.
The public may report cases by calling C-TOC at 876-967-1389, 119 or any police station.
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