Bunting says evidence against lottery scammers hard to secure

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

Minister of national security Peter Bunting says the fact that police have not charged many persons accused of being involved in the lottery scam with direct lottery scamming crimes is a result of the inability to secure evidence.

The minister was speaking this morning at a lottery scam forum organised by the Jamaica National Building Society.

He disclosed that since its inception the anti-lottery scam task-force has made a total of 368 arrests.

Of that number, 21 people were charged with lottery scam related charges.

Bunting said another 64 persons were charged with crimes such as stealing electricity and unlawful possession of property.

But according to the minister, despite the inability of the police to charge persons with primary offences directly related to the lottery scam, slapping them with secondary charges often disrupts their activities.

Study finds 90% of lottery scam victims stay silent

Bunting said a study done by the Government on the challenges involved in prosecuting lottery scammers in Jamaica has revealed that there is a challenge in securing evidence.

He said the study also found that the absence of legislation to deal with advance fee fraud as well as weaknesses in the cyber crimes act also impacts investigations.

But the national security minister stated that the Government is moving to make the necessary legislative changes to allow for the effective prosecution of persons involved in scamming activities.

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