Police arrest 41 people for lottery scamming, 15 charged
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Forty one persons have been detained detained for breaching the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transaction) (Special Provisions) Act, 2013 during a joint Police/Military operation that took place in Western Jamaica on Monday, July 21 and Tuesday, July 22.
The team led by the Lottery Scam Task Force (LSTF) comprised of the Street Crime Units, the Fugitive Apprehension and the Proactive Investigation Teams within Area One, as well as the Jamaica Defence Force, carried out a series of raids simultaneously in Westmoreland on Monday, July 21.
Operations were conducted in several communities in Westmoreland to include:
Petersfield
Shrewsbury
Llandilo
Chantilly
Cooke Street
Twenty two persons were taken into custody in Westmoreland, 15 of whom have been charged for breaching the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act, 2013.
A similar operation was carried out in Trelawny on Tuesday, July 22, with the targetted communities being:
Spicy Hill
Stone Brook
Martha Brae
Clarkes Town
Nineteen persons were arrested in this operation.
The following items were seized during the two days:
A Toyota Mark X motorcar
Two Honda Accord motorcars
One Nissan Cefiro
Several laptop computers
High-end electronics
Identification cards and information of persons living overseas.
The remaining 26 who have not yet been charged will be questioned in the presence of their attorneys with a view of proffering charges.
The Lottery Scam Task Force is again warning persons who are involved in scamming activities that a zero tolerance approach will be taken if they are found to be involved in, aiding and abetting or accommodating in anyway, these illicit activities. They are also being reminded that they can be fined or imprisoned for a period of up to twenty years if they are caught in contravention of this Act.
The Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Task Force (MOCA) and LSTF are reminding members of the public who may have any information that could assist them to contact MOCA at 754-3435 or 906-6318 or by email at moca@jcf.gov.jm or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MOCAJamaica.
