Employee at trading company among two men charged in alleged $29 million fraud

Two men have been charged after allegedly defrauding a trading company of millions in a scheme that investigators say spanned nearly two years.

The accused are 30-year-old Shemar Dawson, an accounting clerk, and 27-year-old Leonardo Jibbison, a footballer, both of Waterford, Portmore, St Catherine.

Detectives assigned to the Fraud Squad and Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the Specialized Investigation Branch (SIB) said investigations revealed that between March 2024 and February 2026, Dawson, who was employed at the company, allegedly falsified invoices and other financial documents.

He allegedly bypassed established procedures to facilitate the preparation of multiple cheques, some of which were made payable to Jibbison, falsely representing him as a legitimate supplier.

Investigators say the scheme resulted in losses of approximately $29 million.

Jibbison is accused of encashing 17 cheques made payable to him, totalling more than $18 million.

Both men later turned themselves in and were taken into custody.

Following question-and-answer sessions in the presence of their attorneys, Dawson was charged with larceny as a servant, conspiracy to defraud, and engaging in transactions involving criminal property.

Jibbison was charged with conspiracy to defraud, engaging in transactions involving criminal property, and obtaining money by means of false pretences.

The men are scheduled to appear before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

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