By Adrian Frater, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE MONTEGO Bay Fraud Squad is no longer being overwhelmed by complaints from persons who have lost the monies they invested in the controversial get-rich-quick Pyramid Scheme, which has reportedly raked in over J$150 million in a mere six months. "We are still getting complaints but the number of persons coming in is nowhere close to what we were getting two weeks ago," said a police officer assigned to the Fraud Squad, which has now taken over the investigations of the plans operating in the parish. "I would say we are now down to a trickle at this time."
While some persons who invested in the Speedy Cash Plan, which was operated by retired school teacher Esmie Jones, have basically given up hopes of retrieving their monies, investors in both the 'Revolving Partner Plan' and 'Quick and Reliable' schemes are still awaiting their payments.
"We had a few complaints from people involved in the 'Quick and Reliable' scheme but it is our understanding that the operators of that plan will be meeting them today (Friday)," said the officer from the Fraud Squad. "I am sure if those people don't get the satisfaction they are looking for, some will definitely be coming here to lodge complaints."
Partner plan schemes in Montego Bay went into a tail-spin just over three weeks ago when Mrs. Jones and Kenneth Chue, who operated the 'Fast Cash' plan, were both arrested and charged with breaches of the Financial Act in relation to the over J$100 million they took from subscribers. Mr. Chue pleaded guilty in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court earlier this week, and repaid a total of $31,000 to two subscribers. Mrs. Jones will return to court on May 3.
Since the collapse of the schemes operated by Jones and Chue, a number of persons have been demanding the return of the monies they invested in other plans. Earlier this week, churchman Winston Gillings, the operator of the Revolving Partner Plan, reportedly met with his plan's subscribers to make arrangements to fulfill his obligation to them. "I am giving Mr. Gillings just one more week to come up with my money or I will be going to the police," said Cherry Virgo, who put $48,000 in the plan last October with the expectation of pulling down over $100,000 at the end of February. "He (Gillings) is overdue by more than six weeks and I need my money."
In a brochure issue to depositors last September, the following promise was made to depositors. "You can throw $2,000 or $6,000. If you throw $2,000 you will get it back in six weeks time and in another six weeks you will get $10,000. You will get $10,000 every month after that for life. If you throw $6,000, you will get back $3,000 after the first six weeks $40,000 after six week. After that every month you will get $40,000 for the rest of your life."
