A decade-long worldwide fraud operation has drained greater than $9 million from over 200 aged victims throughout the USA by means of guarantees of pretend sweepstakes prizes.
The scheme relied on unsolicited calls and texts that informed seniors they’d gained massive money awards and luxurious vehicles however first needed to pay taxes or charges, experiences experiences the Jamaica Gleaner.
Scammers then demanded extra funds and, in some instances, took management of victims’ financial institution accounts to switch funds on to the operators.
Thirty-year-old Jordan Trought entered a responsible plea on June 1st to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and financial institution fraud.
Trought was arrested in Jamaica in August 2025 and later extradited to face costs in the USA.
Federal prosecutors say he joined the Jamaica-based ring in 2021, rose to a senior management function, and bears duty for greater than $6 million taken from over 100 victims.
Cash from the victims flowed to associates and to an vehicle enterprise Trought ran in Jamaica.
“Trought and his co-conspirators allegedly exploited belief, age, and hope for revenue, together with by taking management of victims’ financial institution accounts and routing stolen cash to Jamaica,” mentioned US Lawyer Jay Clayton.
Trought faces as much as 30 years in jail and has agreed to pay $6,166,227 in restitution plus the identical quantity in forfeiture.
The general ring operated from 2015 till 2025 and victimized seniors nationwide with repeated calls for for upfront funds to assert nonexistent winnings.
Prosecutors emphasize that the case underscores efforts to pursue cross-border fraudsters who prey on susceptible Individuals.
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