A mother and son, accused of fleecing over US$600,000 (J$42.6 million) from American citizens in a lottery scam, are to return to the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court today.

Yowo Senhi Morle, 27, and his 48-year-old mother, Hazel Clarke, both from Bogue Village, St James, are charged with obtaining money by false pretence, conspiracy to defraud and engaging in transactions that involve criminal property.

Both are alleged to have contacted complainants in the United States and told them they won the Australian lottery and that they should send varying sums to collect their winnings.

Senior citizen

One of the complainants was said to be a 74-year-old woman, from whom the accused collected US$400,000 (J$28.4 million). They are accused of collecting more than US$600,000 from the complainants.

The Court heard at the last hearing that Clarke was found with a list of names and numbers belonging to complainants and the amounts they have paid.

At the last court hearing, Morle was offered $1-million bail with one two or three sureties. A condition of his bail is that he surrenders his travel documents.

The police told the court at the first hearing that they have seized property and money valuing $38 million, including a bank account with $4.9 million.