Four Jamaican nationals were convicted in a US Court yesterday in connection with a multi-million dollar lottery scamming scheme in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The accused are Khalelah Powell, Avia Reid, Romaine Gordon, and Fabian Grey.
Homeland Security and the United States Postal Services say evidence suggests the party swindled over USD $300,000 from the victims.
Court filings say the scammers contacted victims through the post or via phone calls.
They convinced the targets that they had won millions in cash and prizes via competition. However, before winners could claim their prizes, they were expected to pay a processing fee, usually presented as a tax or other miscellaneous charge.
There are at least 67 victims on record, 25 of which are over 80-years-old.
The US Attorney’s Office says the stolen cash was withdrawn and transferred to co-conspirators in Jamaica. Records show the defendants only retained a 25% cut of the proceeds.
Each of the four defendants will serve time in federal lock-up. The judge presiding over the case sentenced Romaine Gordon and Fabian Grey to five years behind bars, while Avia Reid will spend more than four. Khalelah Powell was sentenced to over two years in prison.
They are all expected to pay USD $350,000 in restitution to the victims.
