Major US city warns residents about Jamaican telephone scams
In recent years there has been a proliferation in the amount of scammers from Jamaica who target persons in North America to defraud them of money.
As a result of this persons living in these countries are often times warned to be very cautious when handling any kind of money transfer with persons from Jamaica.
The second largest city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania has now warned its residents to beware of telephone scams originating in Jamaica.
According to a report by Pittsburgh’s Action News, the district attorney is warning people in the Pittsburgh suburbs to beware of a telephone scam apparently based in Jamaica.
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. says the callers claim to work for Publisher’s Clearing House — the legitimate sweepstakes firm — and tell residents they’ve won a prize but must first send a check to cover processing fees.
Zappala says the callers have targeted residents of Whitehall Borough and South Fayette Townships in recent days, and that caller IDs have indicated the calls are being placed from the ‘876’ area code in Jamaica.
Zappala says residents should always refuse to send money when they’re contacted by phone about any sweepstakes prize or similar offer.
At least 41 persons suspected of scamming have been arrested in Jamaica this week.