Three implicated in lottery scam activities ordered to pay $5m

By Lorraine Mendez   

 

Three residents of Lucea, Hanover implicated in lottery scamming operations have been ordered to pay a total $5 million to the state under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

 

The pecuniary penalty orders against the trio were handed down by the Supreme Court on March 7, in a case brought by the Financial Investigations Division.

 

Keyfa Barrett, a 43-year-old autobody mechanic with no known legitimate source of income, has been ordered to pay a total $1,669,550. The court has ruled that $424,030 be paid immediately with the balance to be paid in monthly installments of $26,490 over four years. Non-compliance will result in the seizure and sale of his assets.

 

Barret's spouse, 39-year-old waitress Davian Wilson, has been ordered to pay $970,000, starting with an immediate payment of $250,000. The balance is to be paid in monthly installments of $15,000 over four years. Failure to pay will result in liquidation of her assets to settle the outstanding amounts. 

 

Kelson Barrett, a 43-year-old chef who is the cousin of Keyfa Barrett, has been ordered to pay $2,560,000. He is to pay $1 million up front, with the balance to be paid in monthly installments of $32,500 over four years.

 

Commenting on the judgment, Principal Director of Investigations at the FID Keith Darien said it is indicative of the judiciary's firm stance on enforcing financial legislation and its role of deterring similar offenses in future.

 

The case stems from a routine check by JCF officers along Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril, Westmoreland in February 2011. The police say they stopped a vehicle being driven by Keyfa Barrett with the other two people on board and noticed a large leather bag overflowing with cash.

 

This triggered further investigation resulting in in the recovery of electronic devices and notebooks containing identity information and financial details consistent with lottery scamming.

 

Further analysis uncovered that over a five-year span from 2007 to 2011, the Barretts and Wilson received more than $26 million from 32 US citizens with whom they have no familial ties.

 

The transactions were conducted through local remittance services and credit unions. These findings culminated in the conviction of all three for engaging in transactions involving criminal property linked to lottery scamming and related fraudulent acts.