Jamaica Observer ( Jamaica )
27 January 2023 ( Page 12 )
The fall of the saintly and sophisticated
Dear Editor,
As the shock of the Stocks and Securities Limited(ssl) saga continues to unfold, one can’t but help observe the diabolical and deceptive ways in which these professional pariahs operate.
Indeed, their devious actions are much to the detriment of honest, hard-working, and lawful investors and account holders at their respective places of employment. In recent times this phenomenon of scamming/”chopping”, which is the popular colloquial term used to describe downright thievery, blatant dishonesty, and ravenous robbery of people’s hard-earned money by the unscrupulous, has intensified.
Sprint legend Usain Bolt as well as some 3o or more other victims readily come to mind as their financial accounts/investments at SSL were basically wiped out, not to mention the ones we haven’t heard about at other financial institutions.
The list of sophisticated suspects is definitely not exhaustive. Please take note of the following:
• Jean-ann Panton, wealth advisor, suspect in SSL saga
• Khadene Thomas, wealth advisor, National Commercial Bank (NCB), arrested and charged for stealing US$143,000
• Andrea Gordon, former NCB manager, convicted and sentenced to eight years for defrauding the bank of $34 million over a three-year period
• Arsenio Johnson, a retail support officer at NCB, arrested and charged with transferring $5.8 million from the bank’s suspense account to two accounts associated with him
• Tricia Moulton, manager of Sagicor Liguanea branch in St Andrew, and Malika Mcleod, a personal banker, have been arrested and charged with defrauding the bank of over $50 million
• Alysia Moulton White, vice-president group marketing, Sagicor, arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud
Not only are there convicted and suspected fraudsters, but there are also vexed victims, courtesy of these “saintly” and sophisticated scammers. Recently, we heard of Shelly-ann Watt Gammon who discovered that her NCB accounts were compromised and a loan of more than $500,000 was approved using her identity.
But whether sophisticated — men in jackets and ties/welldressed females — or “choppas” — those from the lower classes — these scammers are on a serious financial rampage as they continue to callously ruin people’s lives.
Even though Bolt is not the only person to be swindled, his fame and networth have magnified these sordid and scandalous situations.
Needless to say, the comments, reactions, suggested solutions, and even lashing lyrics by Jamaicans and foreigners on social media are too much to bear or absorb.
Collectively, let us break this dishonest spell.
Photo: Usain Bolt