Police Crack Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Case

Detectives from the Kingston Western Proactive Investigation Unit say they’ve cracked a multi-million dollar fraud case, following the arrest and charge of a merchandiser who pretended to be Energy Minister, Daryl Vaz.

The development follows a motor vehicle auction scam, where complainants have been fleeced of millions of dollars.

Between Wednesday, June 9, 2021, and Monday, June 14, 2021, 35-year-old Merchandiser Shawn Latham managed to scam victims of 4 million dollars by pretending to be Energy Minister, Daryl Vaz.

Latham reportedly used the image and name of the Western Portland Member of Parliament to lure unsuspecting people to purchase motor vehicles through an alleged auction at the Kingston Wharf. 

Through phone calls and instant messaging, Latham told the complainants that he was Daryl Vaz and he had connections for upcoming motor vehicle auctions. The complainants subsequently paid out over $4-million to Latham for two motor vehicles.

The victims however became suspicious after observing some ambiguities and reported the matter to the police. The report triggered a sting operation on June 14, 2021, where the accused was arrested.

Latham a resident of Knights-Dale Drive, Kingston 19, and was subsequently charged with obtaining money by false pretence and fraudulent conversion.

This is not the first time an incident such as this has happened to Vaz, in 2013 a notice was sent out by the Minister discrediting anyone in the Public Transport Sector who have been claiming to be employed by him.

Vaz says he is in no way affiliated with any business that deals with vehicles and people should be weary of a transaction of this nature bearing his name.

Meanwhile, the Constabulary has advised that the accused is in no way connected to Mr. Vaz nor does he have any authority to conduct business on his behalf. 

The accused is being investigated by the fraud squad for several other similar cases.

The police are urging the public to be wary of persons utilizing trusted organisations or individuals while preying on unsuspecting persons. Persons are reminded to do business through the official channels and procedures and avoid any scheme that appears ‘too good to be true.’

More in this CVM Live story from Paige Dixon: