By Clinton McGregor
Fraud Squad detectives have laid charges against a St. James businessman accused of defrauding a church group of more than $3 million.
Dominic Shaw, a 37-year-old resident of Montego Bay, was charged last week following an investigation into an allegation of fraud.
Mr. Shaw has been charged with fraudulent conversion; failure to deliver goods on contracted date and possession of criminal property.
Investigators reported that in February last year, Mr. Shaw, who is the operator of Cheap Travel Vacations and Events, was paid the sum of $3.2 million by a church in Portmore, St. Catherine for a vacation trip to an all inclusive hotel in St. James.
The accused allegedly received the funds on three separate occasions between February and September 2023.
The period of stay for the church group was five days in October 2023.
But a few days before the trip, the church was informed that no money was paid over to the hotel on their behalf.
When contacted by the church group, the accused allegedly agreed to refund the monies.
But despite numerous promises, to date, the funds have not been repaid.
The matter was reported to the Fraud Squad.
The Fraud Squad said efforts by the police to locate Mr. Shaw proved futile until he was placed on the JCF's Wanted Wednesday list three weeks ago.
He was apprehended by the St. James police on December 7.
Investigators are reporting that another unit within the Counter Terrorism & Organised Crime Investigations Branch (CTOC) has also charged Mr. Shaw with similar offences based on reports from three other complainants.
He's booked to appear before the St Andrew Parish Court on Friday.
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