News

Jamaica Looks to Tackle Lotto Scam

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - April 20, 2012

Above: Minister of State Julian Jay Robinson

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica’s government is drafting legislation and setting up an inter-ministerial task force aimed at curb a multi-million-dollar lottery scam in Jamaica.

The new drive has been motivated by “the increasing attention being paid to the lotto scam and the response of law enforcement and other stakeholders in the United States,” according to Minister of State Julian Jay Robinson.

“Firstly, [the scam] gives Brand Jamaica a very negative image, particularly in a year when we are celebrating our 50th anniversary as a nation,” he said. “It negatively impacts Jamaica’s reputation as a place to do business and specifically the ICT outsourcing sector, which is a major area of growth and job creation for the country.”

It also “is likely to turn off tourists coming to Jamaica,” he said.

Each day, approximately 30,000 calls have been made into the US by Jamaican criminals attempting to commit fraud.

Jamaican criminals involved in scamming have earned approximately $300 million USD each year from the criminal enterprise, with a single player estimated to have earned $1 billion.

The scammers, through US-based criminal associates, visit homes and allegedly threaten victims with violence if monies are not paid.

The new task force will be comprised of officials from several ministries, including Tourism, National Security, Foreign Affairs and Investment, among others.

The legislation being drafted would target those who use ICT to commit security breaches, with sanctions and penalties for breaches.

A new website, www.bewareof876.com was launched to warn of the potential dangers of lotto scammers.

Popular Posts w punta cana

A New All-Inclusive W Hotel Is Opening This Year in Punta Cana 

The first-ever all-inclusive W Hotel in the Caribbean is opening this year in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The hotel, part of a broad expansion for parent company Marriott International, is on the list of expected 2024 […]


Why Grenada Is a New Caribbean Luxury Hotspot

beach house silversands

From its world-renowned chocolate to its pristine beaches to a region-leading focus on sustainability, Grenada is as fascinating and unique as destination as you’ll find in the Caribbean.  But in the last few years, the lush Eastern Caribberan island has […]


5 Adults-Only Resorts to Visit Right Now in the Caribbean 

galley bay

Sometimes you just want that extra degree of serenity, of privacy, of seclusion. There is a reason, after all, that adults-only resorts are booming in popularity, particularly in the Caribbean: travelers want to know that when they arrive, they know […]


Related Posts doctors cave beach with waves

Jamaica Adding New Automated Passport Kiosks

In a a bid to expedite processing at two of the Caribbean’s busiest airports, Jamaica is adding new automated passport control kiosks in Kingston and Montego Bay.  The new kiosks aim to “streamline passenger flow,” according to a statement from […]


The Cool List: the Coolest Hotels in the Caribbean for 2024

the cool list 2024

They’re different. They’re fun, they’re colorful, they’re unique. They’re themselves. The Caribbean has no shortage of cool hotels and in this, Caribbean Journal’s 12th annual Cool List, we highlight the places that hit you in a different way, that do […]


The 25 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean, from Adults-Only to Boutique

hammock cove in antigua

What is an all-inclusive resort? In recent years, the answer to that question has changed dramatically. Today, all-inclusive means a resort that is at the cutting edge of travel trends, one that is catering to the demands of a massive […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You