Jamaica Launches First Anti-Corruption Tip Line

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Jamaica, December 13, 2022 – Jamaica has officially launched its first anti-corruption tip line where members of the public can report “corrupt public officials and high-level criminals.”

The new tip line, established by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) in partnership with Crime Stop, was launched on Friday, December 9, to mark International Anti-Corruption Day.

The initiative will allow Jamaicans to report matters related to public-sector corruption, organised crime, lottery scamming and other serious crimes.

It will also see individuals being rewarded with sums ranging from J$10,000 to J$1 million for information leading to successful operations and arrests.

While speaking at the launch of the tip line, Director General of MOCA, Colonel Desmond Edwards, stated that the citizenry is perhaps the most critical stakeholder in the fight against corruption, noting that approximately US$750 million is lost annually due to corrupt activities.

Edwards said the new initiative is “an effort to empower and encourage our citizens [Jamaicans].”  He also expressed hope that the program will help to develop “good intelligence and, ultimately, good cases.”