Scamming has been going on for years in Jamaica and this has caused great effects on the country's name and the individuals living here. It is said that legislation
to prosecute persons involved in the illegal lottery scam will be passed
by the end of March 2013. The Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special
Provisions) Act, 2012, was tabled in the House of Representatives on
February 26 by Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting.
This
targets advanced fee fraud, and makes the possession of
paraphernalia involved in scamming an offense. It targets identity theft
and the dishonest use of access devices, a defined term taken from the
US Criminal Code, which covers present and future technologies for
accessing financial accounts. The legislation would also prohibit the
use
of threats and intimidation over the telephone, or intent to coerce
victims to part with funds; and make it an offence to own or control
premises from which scamming is conducted. Although the Government is
determined to eliminate lottery scamming in Jamaica, there are gaps in
the current laws, which make it
almost impossible to convict lotto scammers.
Persons living abroad who have fallen victim to scamming will also be allowed
testimony in a Jamaican court via video link, which will allow victims who are often unwilling or
unable to travel to Jamaica to give evidence in the criminal trial of
scammers, can give their testimony from their home jurisdiction.
