Twenty persons arrested in Hanover lottery scam

The Area One police have arrested 20 more persons in connection with the illegal lottery scam operation.

Police also seized more high end vehicles and cash.

This time, however, the arrest and seizures were conducted in Hanover.

This is the third major operation in recent weeks in relation to the lottery scam. The first two were conducted in St James, the parish deemed to be the main base for the fraud.

The Police High Command said in release today that a special operation was conducted yesterday by personnel from the Area One police, the Organized Crime Investigation Division, the Mobile Reserve and members of the Jamaica Defence Force.

The operation was conducted in the communities of Montpelier, Lucea, Kingsvale and Green Island in Hanover. 

The High Command says the operation was a culmination of police investigations into lottery scamming activities.

Five women and 15 men were taken into custody in relation to the activity.

Police say five of the 20 arrested have since been charged for various offences.

In the meantime, seven houses were searched and evidence of participation in lottery scamming activities seized. 

Several computers, flat screen televisions, cellular phones and other electronic gadgets were also seized.

In addition, 5 high-end vehicles including one BMW Convertible motor car and one Lexus SUV were seized.

Police also seized over $300, 000.

The Area One police say they have noted a shift in the lucrative illegal lottery scam from St James to Hanover.

However, the officers have pledged that they will continue to confiscate the gains from the scam. 

Last month, some 20 persons were arrested in connection with the scam in St James.

Police also seized cash and a number of high end vehicles during that operation.

Several oversee persons mainly US residents have been fleeced of millions of dollars in recent months after they fall victim to the lottery scam.

US authorities and security companies have since launched campaigns to warn residents against scam call from Jamaica through the 876 area code.