Hanover family ordered to pay millions after lottery scam probe

The Financial Investigations Division (FID) secured a significant judgment in the Supreme Court on March 7, resulting in pecuniary penalty orders exceeding $5 million against three individuals implicated in lottery scamming.

The penalties were ordered against Keyfa Barrett, a 43-year-old autobody mechanic with no known legitimate source of income; his spouse, Davian Wilson, 39, a waitress; and 43-year-old chef Kelson Barrett, who is Keyfa's cousin. All parties hail from Lucea, Hanover.

The court ordered that Keyfa Barrett faces a pecuniary penalty of $1,695,550, with $424,030 payable immediately and the balance to be paid in monthly instalments of $26,490 across four years. Non-compliance will result in the seizure and sale of his assets.

Davian Wilson was ordered to pay a total of $970,000, starting with $250,000 immediately and the remainder in monthly instalments of J$15,000 over four years. There are instructions to liquidate Wilson's possessions to settle any unpaid amounts.

Kelson Barrett was directed to pay $2,560,000 with an upfront payment of $1 million, and the rest in monthly instalments of 32,500 also over four years.

Keith Darien, the principal director of investigations at the FID, said the Supreme Court's rulings are a testament to the judiciary's firm stance on enforcing financial legislation and its role of deterring similar offences in future.

"The FID is resolute in its dedication to combating financial crimes and recovering the proceeds of illicit conduct," Darien said.

The case originated from a routine traffic check by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force along Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril, Westmoreland, in February 2011. Kelson Barrett and Davian Wilson were passengers in a vehicle driven by Keyfa Barrett. A conspicuously placed large leather bag, overflowing with cash and visible to the officers, triggered further examination.

Keyfa Barrett claimed ownership of the bag, but further discussions about the source of the cash revealed various inconsistencies which aroused the suspicion of the officers.

Thorough investigative processing resulted in the recovery of electronic devices and notebooks containing identity information and financial details consistent with lottery scamming. Further analysis uncovered that over the five-year span 2007-2011, the Barretts and Wilson received more than $26 million from 32 United States 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.