An irate Corporate Area woman landed in jail for four days after threatening to ‘bomb up’ a bank due to a failure of representatives to provide her with acceptable responses about a $9,000 transaction on her account.
The police charged the accused with using a computer for malicious communication under the Cybercrime Act. The offense carries a maximum fine of $4 million or four years imprisonment.
According to investigators attached to the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime branch, on November 19, 2023, the defendant contacted the Sagicor customer care center to understand a disputed October transaction of $9,000.
The defendant reportedly became furious with the bank’s representative and said:
“People a Sagicor a guh start drop like fly, and if me nuh get my money by Monday (November 20), me a guh bomb up Sagicor!”
Irate Sagicor Bank customer
The authorities reported the incident to the police. The police arrested the 32-year-old woman the same day.
On Thursday, November 23, 2023, the matter came before Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque in the Kingston & St Andrew Parish Court.
After hearing the allegation, the honorable judge stated, “That’s the catch thing these days,” referring to the series of hoax bomb threats around the country.
Two weeks ago, a series of threats disrupted more than 80 institutions and stretched the country’s emergency response teams to the limit.
In court on Thursday, prosecutors informed the judge that they would request an adjournment to properly evaluate the file “to see if the offense meets the requirements under section 9 of the Cybercrime Act”.
However, the defendant’s legal counsel submitted that her client, the mother of two sons, ages 10 and 16, meant no harm.
“My instructions are that she was frustrated, as we all can imagine the emotions of being financially strained and talking to people who cannot tell you about your funds. It was $9,000, and it may sound small, but to me, it indicates a dire situation,” the lawyer said.
The attorney representing the defendant
The prosecution informed the judge they would withdraw the matter against the woman.
“Your Honour, on second thought, since we are clearing up our backlog, I have assessed the file, and because of what has been happening the other day, with the series [of bomb threats], I had my reservations. But in light of these allegations, I don’t think she was a person who would do it. Nine thousand dollars means so much to her, and I am minded to withdraw the matter,” the prosecutor said.
The prosecution
The judge cautioned the defendant to be cognizant that words carry consequences. The defendant, who works as a kitchen assistant, apologized for her action and promised, “I won’t let it happen again.”