Millions seized in ‘scam raids’ out west
Published:Saturday | July 19, 2025 | 12:06 AMAdrian Frater/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
The latest initiative by the police to break the back of lottery scamming in western Jamaica is seemingly enjoying tremendous success as, since it was launched on June 5, more than J$44 million and US$55,000, alongside 20 high-end motor vehicles, have been seized in various operations.
The initiative, which falls under the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Area One (Trelawny, St James, Hanover and Westmoreland) and was rolled out under the banner, ‘Scam Dun, Justice A Run’, has been seeing almost daily operations across the region, resulting in numerous arrests.
“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,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Dave Brown, who is driving the initiative. “Let this be a warning to all who engage in lottery scamming.”
Since lottery scamming came to the fore in western Jamaica in 2005, leaving several formerly poor communities awash with cash, the police have blamed the influx of illicit funds for the proliferation of illegal guns across the region, and the upsurge in rampant criminality, especially murders.
However, in a statement of intent, Brown has issued a strong warning to the scammers, making it clear that their days of holding sway across the region, flaunting their ill-got wealth through their extravagant lifestyle, is now speeding to a rapid end.
“The Anti-Lottery Scam Unit is watching and is putting a stop to your illegal activities. There is nowhere to hide,” said Brown.
LATEST OPERATIONS
In one of the latest operations by Brown’s team, which took place over three days (July 10 to July 12), in Trelawny, with support from the Jamaica Defence Force, five people were arrested. Three were charged with possession of identity information with intent and possession of access device under the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions Special Provisions).
Those arrested and charged have been identified as 19-year-old Jaquan Beckford, a supermarket assistant in Hyde district, near Clarks Town; 60-year-old Maxine Walcott, a vendor of Mack Hill, Clarks Town; and 27-year-old Christopher Cole, of Clarks Town.
Beckford, Walcott and Cole were reportedly found in possession of numerous spreadsheets and credit card information with the names and addresses of people living overseas.
Brown is urging members of the public, including members of the diaspora, to support the initiative by telling the police what they know about the illicit scam that primarily targets vulnerable people in the United States, particularly the elderly.