THE EDITOR, Sir:

I note with interest the concern of the Jamaican Government regarding the impact the lottery scammers have had on our country's reputation and the perceived fallout within our tourist industry.

The Government seems concerned when Americans are involved, but turn a blind eye to Jamaicans. I wish that our newspaper columnists and editors would have found it within themselves to continue take our Government to task (both the previous and current administration) in a similar fashion when the Olint-led David Smith fleeced so many Jamaicans of millions of their hard-earned US dollars.

It was the government of the United States that put David Smith behind bars for money laundering and running a Ponzi scheme, not the Government of Jamaica. Yet, it was thousands of Jamaicans who lost out.

IGNORING THE MESS

But it wasn't just Olint and David Smith. There were a host of other foreign-exchange dealers who operated within the shadows of Olint that have somehow been allowed to simply walk away without being required to give an account to their investors. Not even a letter, not even an email. They are still here.

In the US, they have Senate hearings. In Jamaica, nothing. I don't think anyone is asking for their money back, as this is all gone. Investors took a chance and they lost - big time.

However, what is needed is justice. They should be put behind bars. It is a fact that certain politicians used their position to withdraw their funds from Olint and the other foreign-exchange traders just prior to the collapse. Perhaps this is the reason they would rather sweep that whole episode under the carpet. Not so the lottery scammers. Uncle Sam is involved.

ENRIQUE ACEVEDO

enacejm340@hotmail.com