ST ANN, Jamaica – Police say a lottery scam suspect tried to bribe a cop while he was being apprehended during an operation in Great Pond, Ocho Rios in St Ann on Friday morning.

The suspect has been identified as Yowan Soares, a 24-year-old electrician of Great Pond.

Reports are that between 4am and 8:30am on Friday, members of the Lottery Scam Task Force and St Ann’s Proactive Investigation Unit, Criminal Investigations Branch and Operational Support Team conducted a joint operation at the home of Soares.

During the search, the lawmen found J$720,000 which Soares couldn’t account for. An inspection of Soares’ iPhone, the police said, revealed names, social security and telephone numbers of persons living overseas.

It is alleged that while the lawmen conducted further checks, Soares offered some of the cash found to a member of the Lottery Scam Task Force.

He was subsequently arrested and charged for possession of identity information with intent and attempted bribery.

Soares is scheduled to appear in the St Ann Parish Court on June 7, 2023 to answer to the charges.