Fraud Squad detectives yesterday swooped down on two offices of the Ministry of Labour and temporarily detained two employees for questioning as they continue investigations into an overseas job employment scam.

The employees were picked up at separate locations, one at the Ministry's East Street branch, the other at the head office on King Street in downtown Kingston.

THE WEEKEND STAR gathered that further investigation led the police to the suspects' homes where further searches were conducted. Reports are that both employees are attached to the Canadian work employment programme.

Inspector Jacqueline Dodd confirmed the operation but said no arrests were made as yet.

Inspector Dodd said, "The employees were brought in for questioning as our investigation led the police to them. Their names have been showing up in our investigations, further investigations are to be conducted into the matter."

identification parade

Inspector Dodd also indicated that another suspect, though not related to their present investigation, was positively pointed out in an identification parade. He is expected to face the courts soon.

Overseas employment scams have been plaguing the Ministry of Labour. Despite efforts to curtail the sophisticated scams, large sums of cash are still being fleeced from victims as reports continue to pile up.

THE WEEKEND STAR understands that the manner in which the scam engages persons is ever changing.