Advanced
Fee Fraud
What is Advanced Fee Fraud?
Advance fee fraud is a type of fraud in which businesses or individuals are required to pay a fee before receiving promised stocks, services, money, or products, which ultimately are never given. The targets of the fraud receive a solicitation by phone, letter, or e-mail, from someone posing as a business representative or government official promising that a large sum of money will be deposited into the target’s bank account.
The most prevalent form of Advanced Fee Fraud in Jamaica is the lottery scam, where scammers lead victims to believe they have won a drawing or lottery, but the cash or prizes will not be released without upfront payment of fees or taxes. Scammers frequently target the elderly or those with disposable income.
Lotto scamming not only severely distorts the local economy, but also contributes to Jamaica having a negative reputation overseas. MOCA’s capacity to quickly respond to cyber crime threats, as well as the use of sophisticated technologies during the perpetration of such crimes is a major contributor to efforts to reduce lottery scamming and these ill effects. MOCA conducts investigations and operations targeting persons suspected of being involved in lottery scamming activities.
Partnering with the JCF’s Anti-Lottery Scam Task Force, MOCA has made significant arrests of key players, while seizing proceeds, and assets, such as high end motor vehicles and luxury houses.
The Agency works in collaboration with local and international partners in order to disrupt, prosecute and remove the profit obtained through lottery scamming. The Agency goes after individuals who directly or indirectly have in their position any unauthorised information, whether electronically or otherwise which constitute a breach of the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transaction) (Special Provisions) Act 2013, Cyber Crimes Act and Proceeds of Crime Act.