Jamaican Teens Seduced into a Life of Scamming

In this insightful episode, we'll gain an understanding of why young people become scammers in Jamaica. A woman (who called herself Candance) told her story in the Jamaica Gleaner. She describes how she followed in her brother's footsteps and quit high school to begin working as a lottery scammer. Candance said, "I left school because while it could prepare me for the future--I needed a way out NOW! My now situation was hunger, discrimination and the many distractions that come from living in the garrison." She went from living in poverty to making $90,000 in her first three days. By the second week, she'd made nearly $500,000. She has been able to purchase homes and has invested in several money making ventures. Candance says she feels bad for her victims and would like to quit. However, it's not so easy... The Lottery Scam is run by criminal gangs who demand a percentage of what the scammer brings in. If you don't pay them--you could be killed. Eighty per cent of the murders and shootings in Jamaica are related to Lottery Scams. Candance says, "We have police, teachers, politicians and even doctors who are scamming. The current law was hastily established but it is just another basket given to carry water so there is very little that the police can do about lotto scamming." The scams target the elderly, especially those living in the United States. Victims are told that they've won the lottery or are a finalist for a grand prize worth millions. There's only one catch; they have to send money to pay the taxes before they can collect their winnings. This leads them down a rabbit hole as they continually are asked to send more and more money in hopes of receiving the Grand Prize. Often, the scammer becomes best friends with the elderly victim, all the while increasing the pressure on them to send more and more money until finally, it's all gone.