Don’t Rent To Scammers

Head of the Area 3 Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Derrick Cochrane, is cautioning persons in Manchester and St. Elizabeth, to exercise caution when renting premises.

He said that lotto scammers are on the run from their regular bases and seeking to hide in unsuspecting locations.

“What we find manifesting is the migrating nature of criminals…as we put pressures on the criminals in one part of the island, they migrate to other parts and we have seen manifestation of this pattern in parts of Manchester and St. Elizabeth, where criminals are trying to escape the long arm of the law,” he said at a recent town hall meeting held at the Alpart Sports Club in Nain, St. Elizabeth.

“I want to make an appeal to residents, who are involved in the rental of premises, to do their due diligence. Make sure that they know the persons, who they are renting their premises to, because for the lotto scammers, the ability to pay is no problem. Prospective landlords should not be blinded by the money that these persons can pay,” Mr. Cochrane stated.

He advised homeowners, who doubt the character of the persons they intend to rent to, to contact the police to conduct background checks.

“If they rent them (scammers) their premises, and allow them to settle in peace and quiet away from the long arm of the law, you are by default, allowing these dastardly deeds of these lotto scammers, who are swindling persons of tremendous sums, and causing pains and suffering. Homeowners, be careful, be very wary of who you are renting your places to. Please do your due diligence,” ACP Cochrane said.