A ruthless scheme to scam elderly individuals and people with diminished capacity has come to an end in a New Orleans courtroom.
Alex Saunders, a 25-year-old resident of Jamaica and former student athlete at Southern University, was sentenced to 5 years probation for his role in a conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
According to court documents, Saunders and others operated a scheme to contact vulnerable individuals by telephone through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and inform them that they had won a lottery. To claim their winnings, victims were told to pay Saunders and his co-conspirators by cash, check, wire, or other methods.
Upon receiving the victims’ funds through the United States mail, private mail carrier, or electronic transfer, Saunders and his co-conspirators knowingly and intentionally transferred the stolen money to bank accounts in Jamaica.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Louisiana praised the work of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, United States Secret Service, and the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter.
Saunders has been ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $56,300. The scheme, which began in August 2013 and continued through December 2015, has left a trail of financial devastation in its wake.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting ourselves and our loved ones from financial scams.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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