Indictments Come Down In U.S., Jamaica For $2.8 Million Lottery ScamIllegal Operation Took Advantage Of Elderly |
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Several men in the U.S. and Jamaica were indicted and arrested for allegedly running a lottery scam that preyed on the elderly and vulnerable. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh announced on Friday that the enterprise stole a total of $2.8 million from victims.
The suspects now face charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering after an investigation included both U.S. and Jamaican law enforcement officials. They are looking at up to 20 years in prison.
“Those charged targeted and took advantage of some of the most vulnerable people in our society,” FBI Pittsburgh special agent Mike Nordwall said. “This was a wide-reaching conspiracy that cost victims millions of dollars. Unfortunately, it’s a crime that is increasing every year, and Pennsylvania remains one of top states in the country that is impacted.”
Deception And Money Laundering
As part of the investigation, authorities arrested and indicted four in the U.S. including Tashane Murray, of Miramar, Florida, Clevon McKenzie, of Mount Vernon, New York, Gyzzell Byfield, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Daneil Reid, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Three suspects in Jamaica that arrested and indicted were Jason Plummer, Troy Williams, and Tajay Singh.
Investigators allege the group worked as a team to call unsuspecting victims, telling them they’d won millions of dollars in a lottery or sweepstakes. The victims were then asked to pay taxes and fees to receive the funds.
The suspects are alleged to have used fraudulent government documents as part of the ruse. The “winners” were asked to send cash, checks, or money orders to designated locations.
Some of the people receiving the funds were also victimized and helped transfer the funds for the alleged suspects. The FBI reported that the funds were laundered through numerous bank accounts before later being withdrawn by the group in Jamaica.
The investigation and arrests included the FBI, Postal Inspection Service, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals Service, Jamaican police, and other agencies.
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