Jamaican scam lottery criminals arrested

22 Jamaicans were arrested over the weekend in a series of actions against eight premises on the island alleged to be involved in an elaborate internet and mobile phone lottery scam that conned millions of dollars from gullible Americans, according to reports in the Jamaican press.

Police said in a statement Sunday that the suspects are being questioned and have not yet been charged, adding that officers involved in the raids had seized $800,000 in cash, several computers and 16 luxury cars.

The alleged modus operandi used by the gang was hardly original…after first sucking in victims by telling them they had won a large lottery prize, the criminals would con them into sending money needed to claim their fictitious prizes.

In recent years, Jamaican scam artists have created an unfortunate reputation for the island as a centre for fake lottery schemes.