KINGSTON, Jamaica – Shadow Minister of National Security, Senator Peter Bunting, is strongly condemning the prolonged delays in obtaining reports on electronic devices from the Communication Forensic and Cybercrime Division (CFCD) of the constabulary, which has resulted in the discontinuation of more than 30 lottery scamming cases.

According to Bunting, in a statement on Wednesday, the recent revelation by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes at the Trelawny Circuit Court highlights the grave consequences of these delays, resulting in at least 50 individuals charged with lottery scamming offences walking free.

“It can be reasonably extrapolated that if 50 individuals walked free in a single parish, then there may be hundreds of such cases across Jamaica,” bemoaned Bunting.

The fight against lottery scamming is essential to both the safety and security of Jamaican citizens, as well as to the good relations with countries where the victims mostly reside, Bunting said.

“The JCF has long established that the proceeds from lottery scamming often finance the purchase of guns and other activities of gangs in Jamaica, ultimately resulting in the loss of Jamaican lives. The scam victims are primarily elderly persons who end up destitute and shaken after the deception and even threats on their lives,” the statement read.

Bunting pointed out that the last People’s National Party (PNP) administration introduced the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act 2013 to combat lottery scamming and advance fee fraud generally, “and it is disappointing that the current administration has not adequately resourced the CFCD to provide the investigative support to enable the perpetrators of scamming to be convicted of offences under this Act.”

“Beyond just lottery scamming, cyber forensics (or digital forensics) increasingly assists in providing evidence to support criminal convictions for fraud, sexual crimes, murder, and terrorism. The ability to quickly and efficiently access encrypted data on computers, smartphones, and other devices is now a core competence of criminal investigation units across the world,” Bunting continued.

At the same time, Bunting extended his sympathies to the victims and their families affected by these crimes, who he asserted will never see justice. He also urged the government to prioritise the allocation of resources to the CFCD, ensuring that the necessary measures are taken to prevent further delays and guarantee the swift administration of justice in lottery scamming cases.