Nagra Plunkett, Assignment Coordinator

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Area One Fraud Squad has launched a manhunt for a man, who they say collected thousands of dollars from unsuspecting job seekers, and left several suppliers of goods holding bad debts in Montego Bay, St. James.

Over 100 persons, promised jobs, turned up at the office of the suspect, identified as Horace Haughton, of a Westgreen address in Montego Bay, yesterday, only to find that they were duped.

"Based on complaints we received, we went to Haughton's office at North Street in downtown Montego Bay, where we saw scores of persons saying they had turned up for work," said Sergeant Carl Brown of the Area One Fraud Squad.

"They said they had paid over $2,000 for training and uniforms, and that they were told to report to work on the morning shift."

The latest scam follows one in St. Thomas, two weeks ago, where more than 100 women were fleeced.

Responded to ad

Monica Stewart, of Paradise, Norwood, in St. James, told The Gleaner that she responded to a local newspaper advertisement offering computer training and housekeeping job placements by Haughton's International Financial Services agency.

"I was promised a job by the Thursday of my application on September 17," said an obviously irate Stewart. "He (Haughton) told me and the others who came for housekeeping jobs that there were 40 clear vacancies throughout St. James ... me still a wait."

Unable to contact suspect

Yesterday, efforts by the police and Haughton's clients to make telephone contact with him were unsuccessful.

"Based on our calculations, he swindled about $500,000 from businesses where he tendered bounced cheques. Our inquiries reveal that the accounts on which the cheques were drawn had been closed," Sergeant Brown added.

The police also seized several pieces of office furniture and documents, including invoices and applications by job seekers.

Sergeant Brown said investigators believed Haughton also had offices in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland; Kingston; and Ontario, Canada.

Persons who have paid over monies to Haughton or have supplied him with goods and services are being asked to call the Area One Fraud Squad at 971-3346 or contact the nearest police station.