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Thursday, March 28, 2013
The US authorities have turned up the heat on persons allegedly involved in the Jamaican lottery scam.
A federal indictment unsealed in North Dakota charges over a dozen defendants with bilking people out of more than US$1 million in the scam which targets elderly Americans.
Prosecutors said in the 33-page document that at least 10 of the 20 victims are over 55 years old including an 83-year-old woman.
The indictment listed the names of the 15 people charged but not where they live, although most are believed to be from Jamaica. Besides the victims from North Dakota, investigators have identified targets in New York, New Hampshire, South Carolina, California and Florida.
Among other things, makes provision for powers of search, seizure and restitution and for guilty persons to be fined and sentenced to a term of imprisonment for up to 25 years.
Jamaica?s National Security Minister Peter Bunting has promised early prosecution of scammers who have been damaging Jamaica's name internationally. And a custodian for the Rochester City School District in New York is facing charges for allegedly becoming involved in the Jamaican lottery scam. If found guilty he could receive a maximum of 20 years in prison for mail fraud.
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