J’can cops recognised for apprehending alleged lottery scammers
THE United States attorney for the District of North Dakota last Thursday recognised the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Branch, Fugitive Apprehension Team for its role in apprehending suspected lottery scammers.
A release from the United States Embassy said the Fugitive Apprehension Team was responsible for the coordination and apprehension of 14 defendants who were involved in transnational organised crime associated with lottery scamming.
The team was recognised at a ceremony in Bismarck, North Dakota.
According to the release, the 14 defendants were ultimately extradited to stand trial in the United States.
The suspects are being prosecuted in what’s believed to be the first large-scale Jamaican lottery scam tried in US courts. Authorities say at least 90 Americans lost a total of more than US$5.7 million.
The case is being tried in North Dakota because the investigation began there in 2011.