moneyThe US Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) has joined forces with the Jamaican authorities to tackle the scourge of the wave of lottery Scams that have hit the nation. The scam mainly occurs when Jamaicans via telemarketing would call people abroad, mainly the US, and tell them that they win the lottery. They would then instruct them that the only way to collect the winnings is to send a certain amount of money for processing or clerical fees. Most sane people cannot imagine why someone would fall for this stupid rouse but unfortunately hundreds of people do. The rocket is running in the billions and is already responsible for several murders in the island.

A task force called Jamaica Operation Linked to Telemarketing (JOLT) has been launched and is said to have already had many success in capturing criminals and seized cash. According to figures released the US alone received 5000 complaints last year from people who have been scammed or nearly scammed.

Jamaica commissioner of police, Hardley Lewin says he is fully behind the task force and he urges citizens to be vigilant against these scams. According to Lewin if somebody calls you and tells you that you win $25,000 and you should send $500 to them, just tell them to take the $500 out of the $25,000 and send yo the change,. That makes sense to me.

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Alvin Buchanan

Filed under: Current Affairs • Finance

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