Jamaica Scamming Money

A short while ago I got a call from someone saying they were from the Jamaica Tourist Board and that i had won a trip for two to the Sandals resort and they gave me a name of a hotel I cannot remember now. It was a man’s voice and he gave me another number which he told me to ring to confirm that i wanted to pick up the prize. Well, having never won anything in my entire life, I was sceptical. I asked where he got my number from and he said from the Jamaica tourist board as I had travelled on the country’s airlines and gone through the immigration facilities where you have to give your contact details.

Well, being a journalist, I did abit of phoning around – the number the guy gave was a voicemail number. I then rang the official tourist board and explained what had happened and they said they didn’t know anything about this promotion. Well it was then i realised it must be a scam and I left it at that.

I am hearing now that this is a huge scam and could be funding guns and drug rings originating from the island. i also hear that it is spreading across the US and Europe.

I have to say I am not easily fooled, but the guy on the phone was pretty convincing, he knew my name and mobile number – how did he get this information? That’s what i would really like to find out.