With increased fraudulent activities as a result of improvements in technology, the Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA) anti-fraud committee in collaboration with the Jamaica Institute of Financial Services (JIFS) will be holding a workshop in Montego Bay, St. James on Saturday to increase awareness of the Cybercrimes Act.

This represents a deliberate strategy to create more awareness in order to enhance the process of apprehending the perpetrators, according to a joint statement from the two groups.

Previous legislation did not cover the crimes currently being perpetrated with the use of technology until 2010 when the Cybercrimes Act was passed “to provide criminal sanctions regarding the misuse of electronic systems,” the statement said.

Cybercrimes – in which computers and networks are used as a tool, a target or place of criminal activity, including financial crimes – are being committed in Jamaica but because of the lack of knowledge, many persons are not sure how to respond, the JBA and JIFS said.

The objective of the seminar is to heighten awareness among various stakeholders and to engage their ideas regarding the enhancement of protection against computer-related criminal activities and the investigation and prosecution processes.

The organizations said the seminar on Saturday, at the Iberostar Hotel in Lilliput is being organized for the western region, and will be the third such round table on the Cybercrimes Act, the first two having been held in Kingston.

Participation is expected from the private and public sectors, including the financial and information technology sectors, the hotel industry and other business interests, as well as the police, clerk of the courts, and officers from the Director of Public Prosecutions’ office.

The statement pointed to the importance of attendance by the police and clerk of the courts “as it is imperative that they are educated in the use of the Cybercrimes Act in terms of investigating and prosecuting cases brought to their attention,” the JBA and JIFS said.

Among individuals slated to attend are Assistant Commissioner of Police, Carl Williams, who is in charge of the Area 5 police division.

Presenters include Detective Sergeant Patrick A. Linton of the Communication Forensics and Cybercrimes Unit, Organised Crime Investigation Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force; Yanique Gardner, Crown Counsel (acting), and Meridian Kohler, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions.

business@glenerjm.com