Fake promoters rob nearly $1 million in liquor

Fraudsters posing as party promoters are reportedly requesting consignment liquor from store owners then disappearing after receiving the goods.

Among the latest victim is Latoya, operator of a liquor store in Morant Bay, St Thomas. She told THE STAR that for weeks, two fraudsters, both females, earned her trust before stealing almost $1 million worth of consignment liquor and drinks.

She said it was not unusual for her to receive new customers through social media where she advertised, so when she got message request from two females enquiring about her services, she quickly responded.

"They have been reaching out since February and they sent me the fliers about two different events on April 15. Both of the locations where the parties were advertised were legit and within St Thomas. There were days where they would call to ask how my day going and how business coming on. They have also texted as well and asked if I did ice and cigarettes also," she said, adding that the women wanted top shelf liquor. "The Thursday before the events, they called and said I should let them know what I don't have so they could get it otherwise. They wanted a case of 'Henny' [Hennessy] and I told them I didn't have a case to supply and I cannot buy Remy Martin to consign. They said they will source it otherwise."

On the morning of April 15, Latoya said one of the 'customers' told her she was running late and opted to send a vehicle for the goods instead of having it delivered to the party venue. Latoya helped to pack the liquor which amounted to almost $400,000 inside the vehicle. A few hours later she met up with another taxi driver at a gas station in Morant Bay to drop of the second set of goods, which valued more than $400,000.

"When I gave the other second set of liquor they were waiting on the pump for a while but little did I know that they were waiting for me to leave so they could head to Kingston. When I drove off and went to the venue where the party was supposed to be keeping, I realised that there was no party," she said.

Trishana, who owns the liquor store with her husband, told THE STAR that although this is a huge loss, she will not be deterred.

"I am definitely not demotivated at all as we are trying people and we work really, really hard and I am not going to let them stop me. I also have other customers who put in their order and I am not going to disappoint them. I will just be putting in more security measures which include having a copy of the person's ID and TRN, as well as all liquor will be dropped at the venue," she said.

The Morant Bay police have confirmed receiving a report of the incident and are investigating.