Dear Editor,

I wish to warn the Jamaican public that the “Cash for Gold” phenomenon is one that they should take as seriously as gunmen invading their homes. On a recent trip to Jamaica, I observed a young man no older than 20 years, calling out “Cash for Gold, 20 grand per ounce.” I doubt this youth could spell “twenty”, but there he was doing business in full view of everyone.

Further up the road a man, apparently in his 50s, was plying the same trade. I saw a young woman go to him and inquire about price, etc. During all of this, she was oblivious to five men in the vicinity of both traders eyeing the transaction and exchanging visual and physical gestures with them.

After she decided to trade her gold for the cash, she and her friends walked away, quite satisfied. Shortly afterwards, two of the men briskly went to collect the gold while another two trailed the young woman and her friends after they walked away. The other man then went on his fancy cellphone and began a conversation.

It was only recently that the same trend was being observed in areas of Miami and Fort Lauderdale by citizens and police. Some people are buying gold only to trail their victims and pounce on them at their homes or elsewhere. Many of us need to realise that “Cash for Gold” can be a front for criminality at all levels of society. Just don’t think it’s people wanting old gold to keep. It’s a dangerous new trend, as “Cash for Gold” is fast becoming the new drug trade of society.

Donna Scott

Florida, USA

honeywelljm@yahoo.com