Ellis wants more scammers, relatives to face extradition
Published:Saturday | December 16, 2023 | 12:07 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for Area One, Vernon Ellis, wants an exponential increase in the extradition of individuals involved in lottery scamming.
His urging extends beyond the scammers themselves to encompass those concealing and facilitating money laundering as well as relatives condoning or turning a blind eye to these illicit activities.
Ellis was speaking on Thursday evening, hours after the confirmation of the arrest of three suspected lottery scammers on extradition requests sent by the United States.
The apprehended individuals – 31-year-old Jason Plummer, 26-year-old Tajay Singh, and 38-year-old Troy Williams – are facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering. They have waived their right to a hearing in Jamaica.
Their capture unfolded after a 48-hour operation conducted collaboratively by the Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team, the Police Area 1 Operational Support Team, the Lottery Scam Task Force, and members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
These arrests were directly linked to the detention of four individuals in a multi-state operation carried out in the US by law enforcement agencies in that country.
GUN VIOLENCE LINK
The acting ACP expressed deep concern about the pervasive issue of lottery scamming in the western end of the country. He underscored that the ill-gotten gains from such activities are fuelling criminal gangs, which are wreaking havoc in the area, particularly highlighting the use of funds to procure weapons.
“Guns are the weapons of choice that they use to commit these murders. Whatever we have to do to partner with the US government and other law enforcement agencies to rid our country of lottery scammers is what we have to do,” Ellis stressed in response to questions from The Gleaner.
Addressing the misconception that defrauding innocent people is harmless, Ellis pointed out the dangerous consequences that often go unseen. He stressed that scammers amass significant wealth, acquire weapons, and turn on each other, leading to the loss of innocent lives.
Their mainly elderly victims are also left to suffer, many spiralling into depression and bankruptcy and some eventually taking their own lives.
TEN AT A TIME
The acting ACP said that with continued partnerships, they aim to increase the number of extraditions from the average three or four individuals per extradition to 10 in each instance.
The arrests represent Jamaica and US bilateral cooperation and commitment to address the root cause of violence in Jamaican communities.
“Those who are feeling safe [and] enjoying the benefits of lottery scamming should be aware their time is coming,” warned Ellis, indicating that additional arrests targeting scammers are in the pipeline.
As part of a broader strategy, Ellis urged individuals not yet involved in scamming to steer clear of such activities, encouraging them to seek legitimate employment or training opportunities. For those facing extradition, he expressed hope that they would face the full extent of the law in the foreign country.
The lottery scam in Jamaica originated in the mid-2000s and has evolved over time. It typically involves scammers contacting individuals, often elderly ones, claiming that they have won a lottery or prize but need to pay fees or taxes upfront to claim their winnings.
Lottery scammers employ sophisticated techniques, including the use of advanced technology, fake identification, and manipulation tactics to persuade victims to send money. They may also use threats and intimidation to coerce individuals into compliance.