JCF’S ‘SCAM DUN, JUSTICE A RUN’ INITIATIVE YIELDS SIGNIFICANT RESULTS AGAINST LOTTERY SCAMMING

The Jamaica Constabulary Force, through the Anti-Lottery Scam Unit (ALSU) of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation (C-TOC) Branch, continues to reap success in its ongoing operational initiative, dubbed ‘Scam Dun, Justice a Run’.

The initiative, launched on Thursday, June 5, has led to multiple arrests, the seizure of illicit assets and a focused approach in disrupting the lottery scam trade in the parishes of St James, Westmoreland, Trelawny and Hanover.

In recent efforts, a three-day operation was carried out between Thursday, July 10, and Saturday, July 12, in sections of Trelawny, in collaboration with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). Five persons were arrested, three of whom have been charged for Possession of Identity Information with Intent and Possession of Access Device under the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act. They are:

  • Nineteen-year-old Jaquan Beckford, a supermarket assistant in the Hyde district, Trelawny.
  • Sixty-year-old Maxine Walcott, a vendor of Mack Hill, Clarks Town in Trelawny, and
  • Twenty-seven-year-old Christopher Cole, of Clarks Town, Trelawny

Beckford, Walcott and Cole were reportedly found with several spreadsheets containing names and addresses of persons living overseas as well as credit card information for persons living overseas.

So far, 91 raids have been conducted, resulting in 20 men and four women being charged with breaches of the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act.

The operations have also resulted in the seizure of over 44 million JMD and more than 55,000 USD, along with cash in other currencies. In addition, approximately 20 high-end motor vehicles have been seized, as well as three imitation firearms, more than 80 assorted rounds of ammunition, and 15 pounds of cocaine, among other items.

Head of the ALSU, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dave Brown highlighted the magnitude of the seizures, stating, “These seizures mark the largest of their kind since the inception of the unit in 2017. We are committed to tackling lottery scamming and ensuring that these criminals face the full extent of the law. Let this be a warning to all who engage in lottery scamming. The Anti-Lottery Scam Unit is watching and is putting a stop to your illegal activities. There is nowhere to hide. To the law-abiding citizens of Jamaica and our diaspora, we are fighting for you. Your safety, dignity and your future remain our top priority,” said DSP Brown.

The ALSU, which has also been investigating the link between the lottery scam trade and ‘pop-up car marts’, is urging members of the public to share information and report individuals participating in lottery scamming activities. Persons may call the ALSU at 876-948-0400, the C-TOC Branch at 876-967-1389, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, Crime Stop at 311, the 119 police emergency number or the nearest police station.