BUSINESSMAN CONNED IN US-DOLLAR SCAM
Abusinessman is crying foul after he said he was the victim of a well-orchestrated scam.
Ricky Chan said that a man came into his business, which is located in downtown Kingston, around 10 a.m. and expressed the desire to exchange
US$7,000, which is just above J$1 million at the open market rate of J$155 to US$1.
“He gave it to me and when I counted, it was US$7,000 and I told him I exchanged American dollars for J$145 to US$1. He agreed, and we did the math on his [the man’s] phone; that was a little over J$1 million,” he said.
Chan disclosed that he then realised that he did not have enough cash, so the man took back the money. The situation took a turn when the man, after ending a phone conversation, requested J$300,000 as part of the exchange, offering to return for the rest later.
“I went up to where my cashier was to give him the J$300,000. At that time when I turned my back, he switched it. He gave me US$70 (approximately J$10,871) in singles instead,” Chan said.
“I only realised when I took out the money from the bag and he was already long gone.” The scam has left Chan feeling violated and angry. “I went out there, asking people on the sidewalk if they saw him. Nobody did. I came back into my shop, figuring out what to do next,” he said.
“I was hearing news that it happened around town. It’s not the first time it’s happened to people here in downtown, which made me a little more furious,” he added. Neighbouring businesses have also been targeted.
Another businessman, Richard Llyew, said he has had similar experiences.
“They will come in and say, ‘I have a cheap rate for you.’ When they get your Jamaican funds, they pocket some of it. It’s an ongoing sham. They do it now, and if they get through with you, they come back later,” he said.
Llyew’s first encounter with the scam happened almost a decade ago.
“Recently, they did the same thing when I was at Princess Street. Luckily, I didn’t give them the Jamaican dollars. I asked for the exchange rate again before handing over my money, and they left when they couldn’t meet the initial rate,” he recounted.
When approached for comment, Superintendent Berrisford Williams, the commanding officer for the Kingston Central Police Division, said he was not aware of these incidents. At the time of the interview, he said he was unable to provide information on whether or not there have been past reports.
“I would have to check on that; it’s the first I’m hearing of this one,” he said.