Damone Oakley, a 41-year-old Jamaican, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in a fraudulent sweepstakes scheme that specifically targeted elderly victims in the United States.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that Oakley pleaded guilty in July 2023 to two counts of mail and two counts of wire fraud. He had been extradited to the United States in 2022.
According to the DOJ, Oakley was involved in a deceptive sweepstakes scheme from at least 2010 through 2019, primarily preying on elderly and vulnerable victims. The victims were falsely informed through mailings, text messages, or phone calls that they had won substantial amounts of money and luxury vehicles in sweepstakes. However, to claim their winnings, they were instructed to pay taxes and fees.
During the scheme, Oakley used fake names such as “Officer Alex Logan” and “Officer Stan Valentine” to communicate with his victims. He guided them on how to send money, using methods such as wire transfers, direct bank deposits, the US Postal Service, and private commercial mail carriers. Victims, located throughout the United States, sent money directly to Oakley or to intermediaries in the United States and elsewhere who transmitted the funds to him.
Apart from monetary transactions, Oakley’s victims were directed to purchase electronics, jewelry, and clothing, which were then sent to mail forwarding services in Florida before being forwarded to Oakley in Jamaica. Unfortunately, the victims never received the promised winnings, and the DOJ estimates that they lost hundreds of thousands of dollars during the scheme.
Brian M Boynton, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, emphasized the DOJ’s commitment to pursuing individuals who exploit vulnerable and elderly victims through fraudulent schemes. US Attorney Gerard M. Karam stated that Oakley’s sentence reflects their commitment to protecting society’s most vulnerable members and holding those engaged in such behavior accountable.
Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the US Postal Inspection Services (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group highlighted the collaborative efforts to bring scammers to justice, emphasizing that scammers operating internationally are no longer beyond the reach of law enforcement. Oakley’s sentence totals 192 months in prison, underscoring the severity of the consequences for those engaged in such fraudulent activities.
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