File photo of retired Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt | Photo Credit: Reuters
Lawyers for one of the world’s greatest sprinters, Usain Bolt, said Wednesday that more than $12.7 million is missing from his account with a private investment firm in Jamaica that authorities are investigating.
Attorney Linton P. provided by gordon The Associated Press Along with a copy of a letter sent to Stocks & Securities Ltd. demanding refund of the money.
Gordon said Bolt’s account once contained $12.8 million, but it now shows a balance of only $12,000.
Bolt’s attorneys said in the letter, “If this is true, and we are hopeful that it is not, then a serious act of fraud or a combination of both has been committed against our client.”
Threatens civil and criminal action if money is not returned within 10 days.
Stocks & Securities Ltd did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On its website, the company asked customers to direct all urgent questions to the Financial Services Commission of Jamaica, which is investigating the firm.
“We understand that customers are eager to know more information and assure you that we are closely monitoring the matter at all necessary stages and we will alert our customers about the resolution as soon as this information becomes available. will do.”
The company said it discovered the fraud earlier this month and that many of its customers could lose millions of dollars.
Jamaica’s finance minister, Nigel Clarke, described the situation as alarming but said it was unusual.
“It is tempting to doubt our financial institutions, but I would ask that we not paint an entire hardworking industry with the brush of some very unscrupulous individuals,” he said.
Bolt’s lawyers sent the letter on Monday, the same day Jamaica’s Financial Services Commission announced it was appointing a special auditor to investigate allegations of fraud at Stocks and Securities Ltd, based in the capital city of Kingston. Is.
On Tuesday, financial officials said they were taking over temporary management of the private investment firm. It is allowed to continue operating but requires approval from the government for any transaction.
Bolt, who retired in 2017, holds the world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m.