KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaican authorities have arrested a man suspected of involvement in the island’s lottery scam.
Police say the suspect from St. Elizabeth parish in the country’s south is being investigated following a raid at his residence. Officers searching his home allegedly found “lead sheets,” or lists with names, addresses, phone numbers and Social Security numbers of U.S. citizens. A laptop and three cell phones were also seized.
The suspect’s identify was not immediately released. He is expected to be questioned in the presence of his lawyer later Sunday.
The scam often begins with a phone call that informs the targets that they have won an international lottery, but they first need to wire money to cover taxes. Victims who fall for the trick then get harassed for more money.
