8 accused lottery scammers flown out to US
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Eight alleged members of the Lavric Willocks led lottery scamming syndicate were extradited to the US to face federal charges this morning.
The accused — ex policeman Jason Jahalal, along with Alrick McLeod, Oneil Brown, Xanu Ann Morgan, Dario Palmer, Kazrae Gray, Kimberly Hudson and Dahlia Hunter, who is the mother Willocks — the alleged founding father and mastermind of the multimillion dollar scam left the Norman Manley International Airport on a US plane in the company of US Marshall and Jamaican police officers a short while ago.They have each been indicted on one count of conspiracy and attempting to commit wire fraud, 48 counts of wire fraud, 15 counts of mail fraud, and one count of money laundering in the state of North Dakota in the United States.The eight accused, were led on to the aeroplane in handcuffs and shackles, appeared to be in good spirits and were observed happily smiling and chatting to each other as they prepared to leave the island.Authorities allege that the sophisticated schemes that Willocks masterminded bilked more than 70 mostly elderly Americans out of more than US$5.6 million.He was initially charged in October 2012, but evaded the police until he was arrested in a hotel in Kingston in November last year.Authorities said they found more than US$10,000 in cash in his room, along with electronics and jewellery.Willocks, who was extradited to the US in January, has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering in US District Court in North Dakota.Tanesha Mundle