Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:
The infamous Montego Bay 'lotto scam', which has been the source of much misery both locally and internationally, has been linked to the kidnapping/murder drama which unfolded in the Kingston 20 area between Monday night and Tuesday afternoon.
According to police investigators, the victims of the kidnapping, one a resident of Montego Bay, who had just recently moved into the Maverley area, were targeted because they were observed making regular transactions involving large sums of money, believed to be proceeds of the illicit scam.
"People saw these guys spending and handling crazy money ... large sums," a police source told The Gleaner. "We believe that sparked the kidnapping and the subsequent $500,000 ransom demanded."
Possible connection
"We have information about a possible connection to the lottery scam but we cannot confirm anything at this time as the investigation is still ongoing," said Assistant Commissioner of Police Denver Frater, head of the Criminal Investigation Branch. "The kidnap victim from Montego Bay is a 24-year-old man, who said he was a chef and who has not had a job in many years."
Supt. Steve McGregor, the head of the St. James Police Division, said while matters relating to the illicit scam fall under the purview of the Fraud Squad, he knew, from a purely policing perspective, that the police were working tirelessly to put the 'scammers' out of business.
"What I find most fascinating is the demand for the $500,000 ransom," said Superintendent McGregor. "I believe the kidnappers must have reasons to believe the victims had access to that sort of money or they would not be making such a demand."
The scam, which the police is blaming for the spate of murders that has been rocking Montego Bay within recent times, was blamed for an incident two weeks ago in New Jersey, in the United States, where a 72-year-old grandmother, who was fleeced out of her life savings by scam artists tied to the local scam, committed suicide out of frustration.
adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com
