Jamaican Lottery Scammer Barrett Extradited to Florida

OPA-LOCKA, FL – Damion Bryan Barrett, 28, arrived in Opa-locka, Florida today, the first Jamaican citizen ever extradited to the U.S. to face charges related to a predatory international lottery scheme. Barrett is accused of systematically defrauding elderly Americans out of thousands of dollars with the false promise of lottery winnings.

A 38-count indictment in the Southern District of Florida charges Barrett with conspiracy and 37 counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors allege that Barrett and his co-conspirators cold-called victims, convincing them to send money to cover “fees” required to claim nonexistent lottery prizes. The scheme, active since October 2008, preyed on the vulnerability of elderly victims, stripping them of their savings.

The Justice Department says Barrett and his crew utilized Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to mask their Jamaican location, displaying U.S. area codes to appear legitimate. Money sent by the victims was allegedly funneled through middlemen in South Florida before ultimately landing in Jamaica. This elaborate setup allowed the scammers to operate with a degree of anonymity, but not enough to evade federal authorities.

“Persons who commit crimes against American seniors from outside of the United States will be held accountable,” stated U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida. “This case serves as an example that there are no borders when it comes to obtaining justice for the victims of these lottery schemes.” The extradition is the latest in a broader U.S. crackdown on Jamaican-based lottery scams, a persistent and devastating problem for American seniors.

Barrett’s co-defendant, Oneike Barnett, 29, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on February 28, 2014, and received a 60-month prison sentence and five years of supervised release, along with an order to pay $94,456 in restitution. Barrett now faces a statutory maximum of 30 years in prison per count, in addition to potential fines and mandatory restitution if convicted. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle in Fort Lauderdale on February 13.

“Today’s extradition signals strong partnership between the Jamaica Constabulary Force and our U.S. law enforcement partners,” added Commissioner of Police Dr. Carl Williams of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. “We continue to address this with a high level of attention to contain the scourge.” Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Special Agent in Charge Alysa D. Erichs emphasized that the successful extradition demonstrates the commitment of both nations to pursuing justice across borders, sending a clear message to all involved in these heartless schemes.