Delroy Williams, Jevaughn Williams, Vivian Walters, Elderly Sweepstakes Scam, Florida 2019
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA - In a shocking case of elderly exploitation, three Bay County residents have pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges stemming from a massive sweepstakes scam.
Delroy Williams, 52, of Lynn Haven, Vivian Walters, 33, of Lynn Haven, and Jevaughn Williams, 22, of Panama City Beach each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of mail fraud.
The men's guilty pleas came after a joint investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Lynn Haven Police Department, which found that the defendants conspired to receive wire transfers and mailed packages from victims, taking a percentage of the funds for themselves and forwarding the remainder to co-conspirators in Jamaica.
Between 2014 and 2017, the defendants induced over 40 victims, primarily elderly, to send cash or cash equivalents in order to release their purported sweepstakes prizes. The victims' funds were often transported by wire transfers and United States Postal Service packages.
Delroy Williams and Vivian Walters pleaded guilty to a fraudulent wire transfer of $1,800 from an 82-year-old victim and inducing an 85-year-old victim to send a U.S. Express Mail package containing $500 cash.
Jevaughn Williams pleaded guilty to a $1,500 fraudulent wire transfer from an 84-year-old victim and inducing a 78-year-old victim to mail $1,400 in postal money orders that were subsequently deposited into his personal bank account.
The sentencing hearing for the three men is currently set for August 27, 2019, at 11:00 a.m.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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