By Denise Clarke,
Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
POLICE USED teargas last week to disperse angry depositors in the Montego Bay-based "Community Partner Plan" after they stoned the plan's operators and set fire in an open lot.
During the fracas, a principal operator of the plan was taken into custody by detectives from the Fraud Squad Headquarters, Kingston, who were in Montego Bay investigating the activities of the get-rich-quick schemes.
The operator, whose identity was not released by the police, was reportedly repaying some of the depositors, but had to stop payments after members of the crowd began stoning the vehicle from which he was conducting business.
The police said depositors gathered in an open lot across from the St. James Police Divisional Headquarters near the Montego Freeport from as early as 8 a.m., where the plan's operators had promised to make repayments.
Constable Peter Salkey of the Constabulary Communications Network (CCN) said payments started at about 11.30 a.m. and an unspecified number of persons were refunded their deposits.
However, less than 30 minutes later, the crowd became boisterous and began hurling stones at the vehicle from which the money was being paid, smashing a window. A policeman was slightly injured.
The detained operator was taken to Kingston where he was expected to be questioned by Fraud Squad detectives. His business partner was reported to have fled the island.
Cons. Salkey urged persons who have lost money in this latest scheme to visit the police station and give statements.
The "Community Partner Plan", formerly known as the "Instant Cash Partner Plan", began operating on March 26, less than a week after the collapse of the "Speedy Cash Partner Plan". It promised 500 per cent returns on initial deposits.
However, trouble began last Monday when clients turned up at the plan's Hart Street office and found the doors closed, with a sign saying "Closed for business until May 7".
