A prominent businessman from St Elizabeth, who had his bail extended in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, was ordered to return to court on July 26 in a matter involving the notorious lottery scam for which he has been charged.

Miguel Smith is facing charges of obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering and conspiracy to defraud. He was ordered to give his fingerprints to the police.

Allegations are that on the day of the incident, the complainant, an American citizen was defrauded of over US$200,000 ($17.7 million) after she was told that she had been the winner of a lottery competition. She was instructed to purchase cashier cheques which represented tax payments in order to claim her prize. The cashier cheques were sent to an address in the United States. Two cheques identified valued at US$50,000 ($4.43 million) were lodged to the businessman's bank account. Investigations were later carried out which led to Smith's arrest.

His attorney denied the allegations, however the senior resident magistrate ordered that the defendant return in late July.