Lottery scam links Hanover crime

The Hanover police are reporting that the rise in crime in the usually quiet parish may be linked to an emerging lottery scam there.



The scam involves tricking unsuspecting people to transfer money through an agency in order to have lottery winnings sent to them.



It had also been cited as a major driver of a spate of murder in the neighbouring St. James.



Deputy Superintendent Durmont Lawrence, of the Hanover police, said, already there have been several raids, recoveries and arrests in connection with the scam.



The police were reluctant to give the details on exactly how the scam was being carried out in Hanover.



It is understood that the racket is operating in the communities of Montpelier, Hopewell, and Sandy Bay.



DSP Lawrence said the police was alerted to the scam, after a significant shift in the lifestyles of some persons employed to call centres.