Scammer's Yard: The Crime of Black Repair in Jamaica

Young and poor Black Jamaicans turn to scamming as a means of gaining wealth and advancement, justifying their deceit through an ethical narrative that reformulates ideas of crime and transgression. Jovan Scott Lewis' Scammers Yard explores how this perspective raises unsettling questions about a world economy that relegates postcolonial populations to deprivation while expecting them to follow the rules of capitalism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2020
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

In the bustling city of Montego Bay, Jamaica, three young men named Omar, Junior, and Dwayne navigate the treacherous terrain of poverty and limited opportunities. Driven by the harsh reality of grinding poverty and the seemingly insurmountable barriers to advancement, they resort to a controversial and controversial practice: scamming. These men, who are often referred to as "scammers," operate a Jamaican lottery scam that targets unsuspecting individuals, promising them large loans or awards if they pay taxes or transfer fees. However, once the fees are paid, the promised rewards never materialize, leaving the scammers with tens of thousands of U.S. dollars in their pockets.

Through a meticulous and innovative ethnography, Jovan Scott Lewis delves into the complex world of these scammers, exploring their motivations, justifications, and the ethical implications of their actions. Through interviews, historical sources, song lyrics, and court testimonies, Lewis unravels the intricate web of deceit that these men employ to justify their deceit. What emerges is an ethical narrative that challenges traditional notions of crime and transgression, shedding light on the relationship between race, justice, and debt in postcolonial societies.

In Scammers Yard, Lewis paints a vivid portrait of these young men, who view crime as a form of liberation. They see it as a means to overcome inequality, gain autonomy, and escape the cycle of poverty that has plagued their families for generations. Their logic, while troubling, raises unsettling questions about a world economy that perpetuates deprivation and exploitation while expecting postcolonial populations to adhere to the rules of capitalism that further exacerbate their dispossession.

Through his groundbreaking account, Lewis poses a profound question: Is true reparation for the legacy of colonialism to be found in the pursuit of economic growth and prosperity, or is it in the recognition of the injustices that have been perpetrated and the efforts to rectify them? Scammers Yard offers a thought-provoking exploration of these complex issues, challenging readers to consider the moral and ethical dimensions of wealth distribution and the role of individuals in shaping the world around them.

Weight: 356g
Dimension: 142 x 217 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517909987