MONTEGO BAY, St James-
The Area One Fraud Squad yesterday disclosed a new trick by players in the ongoing illegal sweepstakes scam which is deeply rooted in sections of St James and is reportedly mushrooming across the island.

According to sub-officer in charge of the Area One Fraud Squad Detective Sergeant Carl Brown, the racketeers are now sending documents bearing the logos of established gaming companies to unsuspecting gamblers overseas, informing them that they are sweepstakes winners.

From left to right: Corporal Camille Tracy, CCN liaison officer for Montego Bay, Superintendent in charge of crime for the Area One Police Division Wilford Gayle and Detective Sergeant in charge of Area One Fraud Squad Carl Brown at the Area One Police Headquarters in Montego Bay yesterday, examining documents used in the lotto scam. (Photo: Horace Hines)

This follows on previously-employed tactics, where swindlers made telephone contact with gamblers abroad informing them that they were winners.

But, the conditions on which these 'winners' are allowed to collect their prizes include the payment of fees to cover insurance, customs fees, legal fees , shipping fees and handling fees which amount to several thousands of US dollars at times.

Yesterday, the police reported one case now under investigation in which a United States citizen was fleeced of just under US$500,000 in "processing fees" by the racketeers. The press was informed that the victim has subsequently lost her house.

"One case we have under investigation now is where we are seeing a document suggesting that money was sent to Jamaica to a particular individual. This victim mortgage their house which they eventually lost. But hopefully we will bring this case to a close," Detective Sergeant Brown expressed.

In the meantime Sergeant Brown has underscored the point that the scam which is said to be rapidly growing in the Area One Police Division - which covers the parishes of Trelawny, St James, Hanover and Westmoreland- is one of the prime factors responsible for the spiraling murder rate in the region.

" The Lotto scam has been wreaking havoc in these parts and is now proving to be an element contributing to several crimes. Moneys gained from these activities are used to fund gangs in methods such as extortion and paying for protection," Sergeant Brown noted.

Added the Sergeant: "Persons involved in scam are in competition with each other and as such are taking certain kind of actions when they are robbed or deprived of funds they should have collected".

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