Woman says church brother scammed her of millions

A nail technician who decided to start her own salon is claiming that a member of her church has swindled her of more than $2 million.

Jane*, 23, who is a single mother, told THE WEEKEND STAR that her church brother befriended her as a "new sister in Christ" and she told him of her goals to provide a bright future for her daughter. She said that he introduced her to an investment plan that required her to invest no less than $200,000; the promise of returns was attractive.

"He said if I invest $300,000, I would get back $600,000 overall, because of the profit of my investment, and that there is no risk. I gave him $300,000 cash in December and then another $1.2 million in January. This was to start my shop. He also borrowed $200,000 from me and $350,000 which I told him to put into investments," Jane said.

But months passed and she was not able to get the benefits of her investments. That is when she started to reach out to her church brother.

"Every time I would call him and ask him what's going on with the investment, it's a different story until May. I was on the last straw," she recounted. To add insult to injury, Jane alleges that the deceit is not being addressed by the church, as the member is very prominent and attends regularly.

"The pastor of our church knew that I gave him the money because they are close, that's why I also trusted him. He [the pastor] would always ask me if I got back any money from him because every time mi get serious with him and call pastor, the pastor will call him and talk to him. When I mentioned the police to him, he sent $100,000 sayings that's all he has, and after pastor spoke to him the agreement was for June 28 I would get a portion of my money now. I'm getting different story each time and he still owes me 1,550,000," she said.

Jane also claimed that according to her queries, at least 10 other persons have also been swindled by the man, one of whom also handed over $2 million.

Jane said that she has reached out to the police's Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime branch, but said she was told that she needed more evidence. She is not convinced that they will help her.

"It's draining, extremely draining, especially when it feels like everyone in the church is not in my corner either," she said. Calls to the church member and the pastor by THE WEEKEND STAR went unanswered.

Attorney-at-law Peter Champagnie said that if what is reported is accurate and accords with the facts, then the person who purports to be a financial investor would be liable under the criminal law.

"The potential charges could include fraudulent conversion or fraud," he said, while highlighting the challenge of proving such cases.

"Proof would rest on receipts, documentary evidence, or electronic evidence like WhatsApp messages," he said, adding that without these, "It would be just the complainant's word against the word of the other person."

He added, "A simple check with entities like the Financial Services Commission and the Bank of Jamaica can help prevent falling prey to schemes similar to past Ponzi schemes."

*name changed to protect identity