Ssl Fraud

The Olympic legend had a horrible start to 2023 after discovering that his account, which he has never withdrawn or transferred money since 2012, was left with just $12,000. The account had $12.7 million as of October 31, 2022.

According to the sprinter’s lawyers, the money in the account with the Jamaican private investment firm Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) was intended to serve as pension for the athlete and his family.

CBS at the time reported that Bolt was one of 30 people whose accounts had been wiped clean in an incident that had the FBI involved.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist was made aware of the fraud when an ex-employee linked to the scheme alerted him on January 11, 2023.

According to multiple reports, the SSL fraud scheme totaled over $30 million, and at least 200 accounts were affected in January last year, including Bolt’s.

Taking to his social media on Thursday, a year since the incident, Bolt shared a message of resilience to his 13.8 million followers.

"Yow peeps, so it's been one year,” he stated.

"Just want unnu know seh mi still deh ya, still a fight the fight, still a hold on, always a go stay strong. Yuh know how the country yutes do it (Just want you to know I’m still here, fighting the fight and holding on. I’m trying to stay strong. To all the people that support me, continue your support. One love,” he added.

Bolt did not directly reference the SSL fraud, but based on the timing of his post, it was clear he was talking about the losses he made a year ago.

Bolt was hardest hit in the scam that has impacted about 40 clients of SSL and the matter is being aggressively investigated by the Jamaican police and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Bolt’s lawyers have written to the investment firm demanding the return of his money within 10 days or face legal consequences. Those 10 days expired on Friday.

Earlier, while speaking at a sponsors’ luncheon for the 2023 Gibson Relays, Bolt assured his fellow Jamaicans that he remains loyal to his country despite the ongoing matter, which he described as being stressful.

“No matter what’s going on right now, Jamaica is my country and that will never change and I will always love my country and will do everything in my power to uplift this country no matter what’s going on,” Bolt told the gathering at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

Speaking with members of the media afterwards, Bolt also revealed that he fired former business manager Norman Peart refuting claims made by Peart that their parting was amicable. “It’s simple, he was fired,” Bolt said. “It was not amicable, he was fired.”

Regarding the potential lawsuit against SSL, Bolt said, “Well, it’s 10 days, so give it time and you will see what will happen.”