yes a few ppl i know in jamaica were also scammed too.
someone lost their passport same way too, had to start allover again, pure fu**ery. now has corrected everything and got real work papers. applied since, then 2 weeks ago they contacted him to send another form he originally had with him when he applied but they didn't think he would need it then, he sent it the same day, we are now waiting ever since.
someone else wasnt so lucky and have to wait a few yrs before re-applying. really not nice when you get caught up in those situations.
hope your friend will recover a little from those thief. sad how ppl will take advantage of someone for money.
bless