Jamaica: ICE launches of Operation JOLT to target lottery

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000438

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT PASS EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE FOR INFO

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (ACADIEUX)
(VDEPIRRO) INL (KBROWN)
INR/RES (RWARNER)


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SNAR ASEC ELAB PGOV ECON JM XL
SUBJECT: Jamaica: ICE launches of Operation JOLT to target lottery
scammers

Summary
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1. (U) Jamaica -- May 27-28, the Charg d'Affairs and ICE Attach
opened the first JOLT Task Force joint training session and
operation - that's the Jamaica Operations Linked to Telemarketing.
In 2008, it is estimated that more than USD 30 million was
transferred to Jamaica by victims of the lottery scam. By COB May
28, the joint U.S-Jamaican teams had arrested 12, seized evidence,
including victims list and several vehicles, including one stolen
from the U.S. End Summary.

Lottery Scam
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2. (SBU) In January 2008, relying on our strong bi-national
relationship, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) requested assistance
from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office at
the embassy to fight this new crime wave. In April, 2008, a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was executed between DHS-ICE and
the Jamaica Constabulary Force to establish JOLT. JOLT is a joint
ICE - GOJ (JCF, Jamaica Customs, the Passport Immigration and
Citizenship Agency, the Director of Public Prosecution office, the
Magistrate Court of Montego Bay, and the Financial Investigative
Division of the Ministry of Finance) program. All activities,
including the posting of ICE special agents and analysts dedicated
to JOLT, are being funded directly by ICE.


3. (U) This new Jamaican project is based on a successful ICE
program operating in Canada since 1998 which has so far recovered
more than USD 14 million dollars to U.S. and Canadian victims of
telemarketing fraud. This Canadian operation has also resulted in
26 U.S. Grand Jury indictments and 161 U.S. and Canada-based
arrests.

Training Session
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4. (U) After the Opening Ceremony concluded, 22 trainers consisting
of U.S. ICE special agents, members of the State of Minnesota
Department of Public Safety Fraud Squad, the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC),and Western Union Corporate Security began a
day-long operational training program. The 28 trainees present were
from the JCF, Jamaica Customs, the Passport Immigration and
Citizenship Agency, the Director of Public Prosecution office, the
Magistrate Court of Montego Bay, and the Financial Investigative
Division of the Ministry of Finance.

Operation
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5. (SBU) At 5:30 am May 28, the first official JOLT operation in
Montego Bay commenced, the nexus of the Jamaican lottery scam. When
the operation ended, joint ICE /JCF teams had executed 9 search
warrants, made 12 arrests and collected a considerable amount of
evidence. During the raid, one suspect ate his cell phone sim card
as the JOLT team entered. The team was also able to seize pages and
pages of victims' names. A film crew from ABC's Nightline
accompanied the JOLT team and was able to film the operation as it
progressed. In addition to the computers, vehicles and other
evidence seized, the JOLT team recovered fake DHS letterhead used by
the scammers to convince victims that their winnings are legit.

Additional Attendees - Jolt Launch
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6. (U) Also in attendance at the launch and associated Press
Conference were: (GOJ) Commissioner of Police, Hardley Lewin;
Commissioner of Customs, Danville Walker; Director of Public
Prosecution, Paula Llewellyn; and (USG) ICE Office of International
Affairs -- Operations Chief Caribbean/Canada, Scot Hatfield, the
Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Illinois, Bruce
Reppert, and FTC Director for the Middle District Steve Baker.
Press coverage for the launch was both local (print, radio, TV) and
international (ABC's Nightline and CBS affiliate from Minnesota).

HEG