Lotto Scamming Must be Denounced – Minister Chuck

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says lotto scamming must be strongly denounced and those who see it fit to make the crime an occupation should be ostracised and frowned upon.

“Lottery scamming preys on one of the most vulnerable populations – the elderly,” he pointed out.

“Lotto scamming is criminal. Quite frankly, if we know anybody engaging in lotto scamming we are going to send them straight to the courts. We have put together legislation where we now guarantee that the scammers will spend some good time in jail,” he warned.

Minister Chuck was speaking at a recent community sensitisation session at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James.

He said the Government is taking a zero-tolerance approach to lotto scamming and other crimes that are threatening to tarnish Jamaica’s name.

He noted that Jamaica has always been well respected in the international community as a strong proponent of equal rights and justice.

He cited the country’s role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa and for the release of Nelson Mandela from prison.

“I will always remember Jamaica’s unrelenting advocacy for the human rights of people everywhere from Africa to the Caribbean,” Mr. Chuck said.

He noted that Jamaicans take pride in engaging in practices that are designed to achieve sustainable livelihoods for their families and a good education for their children.

He said that there was always a strong ethical code in many communities that governs how people live, care for each other and the protection of the vulnerable. “We were not rich, but we respected the rule of law,” he pointed out.

Minister Chuck said it is very important that Jamaica be remembered for all the right reasons, pointing to the recent exploits of the country’s athletes at the Rio, Brazil Olympic Games as proof that “whenever we are good, there’s nobody better”.

The Minister said that some things are more important than money, noting that while illicit gains may buy a nice house and car “it will not bring respect, decency and a sense of humanity”.