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Jamaica and the United States (US) have joined forces and are moving decisively to stamp out the multi-billion dollar lottery scam which has mushroomed in several sections of the country.
A special task force has been created and will be officially launched Wednesday to tackle the illegal network which has defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Americans.
The lottery scam has also been linked to deadly shootings and illegal activities involving criminal gangs.
The task force which will be known as Jamaican Operations Linked to Telemarketing (JOLT) will involve local law enforcement personnel as well as members of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The teams will focus on local telemarketing schemes which reportedly tricked Americans into sending US$30 million to Jamaica last year to claim winnings in a nonexistent lottery.
Commissioner of Police Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin and officials of the US Embassy will provide details on the task force during the launch Wednesday morning.
A report out of the US says Jamaica has become a new centre for fraudulent telemarketing schemes, which local authorities say have helped to finance a network of violent traffickers in drugs and guns.
Under the racket, American citizens are tricked into sending large sums of money to Jamaica after being told that they have won the lottery.
Investigators believe that persons involved in the racket obtained sensitive information on US citizens from call centres in St. James.
<span style="font-weight: bold"> guess we closer dan Nigeria an dem can get een wid wi much easier</span>