SOUTH FLORIDA – It was more intriguing than embarrassing to watch an episode of American greed which examined the Jamaican end of the age old lottery scam.
The reporters actually went on raids with Jamaican police and filmed a number of people who might have been arrested.
Over the last ten or so days we have been hearing about skimming as well, where persons’ debit and credit card information is acquired by illegal devices and new cards are made up with the information. Millions of Jamaican dollars have been stolen over the recent past, through this method.
But, while we look at the damage Jamaica’s reputation is taking especially in the important U.S. tourist market, there is a more serious tragedy that is taking place.
Young people who have the technological skill and knowhow are not only benefiting from the scam as we speak, but others are growing up in the Jamaican society, aspiring to become scammers!
Many of us resent speaking about Jamaica in terms of failed states, but there are questions to be asked along this line.
For example, what is a state where deadly violence is commonplace, where young people cannot find jobs and hence end up as scammers, but are now also planning lives as scammers?
That society might not be a failed state but it is definitely not normal.
Minds are being conditioned that a life of crime is actually desirable. Or maybe they don’t think it is criminal but instead is reparation money being collected.
Voice your opinion on the “Open Line” with Winston Barnes daily on WAVS 1170AM or listen on-line http://wavs1170.com/
Host – “Open Line” WAVS 1170AM
Photo Credit: Leroy “Dreamy” Riley
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