Jamaican Policewoman Arrested In US For Being The Mastermind of Lottery Scamming Group

February 5, 2022

Constable Shelian Cherine Allen, who is from the St. Andrew North Police Division, was accused of being the leader of a lottery scamming group, and she was arrested on Friday in the United States.

The group operates in both Jamaica and the United States, targeting vulnerable victims. They have allegedly defrauded over 20 elderly Americans of approximately US$1.6 million. According to the allegations, over US$128,000 of the money was directly deposited into the policewoman’s account.

The Gleaner received information that Allen and her group conspired to commit fraud by wire and fraud by mail in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, 1343 and 1349. According to reports, Allen was under close observation since 2019, and on February 4th, the Border Control and Protection Division took her into custody after she arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Investigators also said that Allen conspired with others to target vulnerable victims by doing a telemarketing and mass marketing scheme. These schemes of fraudulent pretence, representation, and promises would defraud the victims of their money.

The US law enforcement has labelled the investigation “Allen Lottery Scheme Organization”.

More reports from the Department of Homeland Security database show that between 2019 and September 2021, Allen entered the United States from Jamaica nine times.

Additionally, investigators traced transactions to Allen’s US bank account. Allegedly, a sum of US$5,004.01 was withdrawn from the account and US$2,440.43 was used to make 24 purchases in several retailers in Florida. These retailers included Gap Outlet, Marshalls, Macy’s, Foot Locker, Old Navy, Elegance Perfume, Polo/Ralf Lauren, and Victoria’s Secret.

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It is also said that law enforcement has identified six persons who are co-conspirators inside of Allen’s group.

While Fitz Bailey (Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of crime) has confirmed the arrest of Allen, he has not clarified if any other members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force are in association with the scheme.

It has been reported that the 42 year-old policewoman has been immediately suspended after she was arrested. Allen has been charged for alleged wire fraud, mail fraud and drug trafficking.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force reported that they will be working with its international counterparts in the investigation.