The Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigations Branch (C-TOC) has launched a probe, following several reports of identity theft.

In a statement, the Police’s Communication Unit says investigators are aware that unscrupulous persons have been using the photographs and names of several people on social media platforms to conduct illegal activities.

The police say among the persons impersonated is Superintendent Hopeton Nicholson, whose name and photographs have been used to create fake pages on several platforms, including dating sites.

It is reported that victims believing that they are communicating with Superintendent Nicholson, have been lured to various places across the Corporate Area, St. Catherine and St. Mary, where they are tricked, robbed and in some instances, sexually assaulted.

So far, investigators have identified eleven persons across three parishes who fell victim to these illegal activities.

The police are appealing to citizens to be extremely vigilant when communicating with people online, especially those who you are meeting for the first time in the digital space.