BRIDGEPORT, CT – Farouq Fasasi, 28, of Manchester, Connecticut, is headed to federal prison for 14 years – 168 months – after being convicted of running a sophisticated lottery and romance scam that bled over 200 victims, many elderly and vulnerable, out of more than $5 million. U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill handed down the sentence today, followed by three years of supervised release.
The scheme, detailed during the trial, operated by preying on the trust and loneliness of victims nationwide. Lottery scam victims were falsely informed they’d won a prize, only to be relentlessly pressured into paying “fees” for taxes, shipping, and processing – fees that led to nowhere. Romance scammers, meanwhile, fabricated online personas, often claiming recent loss or military service, to build relationships before draining victims with sob stories about medical bills, business emergencies, or fabricated travel plans. The goal was always the same: extract money, and lots of it.
Between August 2015 and March 2020, Fasasi, along with accomplice Rodney Thomas, Jr., and a network of others, systematically targeted victims, funneling cash, money orders, and checks – delivered to addresses across Connecticut – into accounts controlled by the conspirators. A New Haven residence on Sherman Avenue served as a central hub, a literal drop point for the stolen funds. Fasasi wasn’t just a ringleader; he actively recruited “money mules” to launder the ill-gotten gains through personal accounts, as well as accounts opened under the names of businesses and even charitable organizations. The brazenness is staggering.
The impact on victims was devastating. One Connecticut resident alone lost over $1 million. Many others were stripped of their life savings, leaving them financially ruined and emotionally scarred. Judge Underhill ordered Fasasi to pay restitution totaling $5,946,371.58 – a symbolic gesture given the likelihood of full recovery. The court order does little to mend the broken lives left in the wake of Fasasi’s greed.
“This is an appropriate sentence for a financial predator who made his money by systematically and cruelly victimizing seniors and other vulnerable individuals,” stated U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery. “The Justice Department has made it a priority to investigate and prosecute those who commit these crimes.” Avery urged anyone suspecting they or a loved one may be a target to contact local police or the national fraud hotline at 833-FRAUD-11.
Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, highlighted the agency’s commitment to protecting the mail from criminal abuse. “This defendant took advantage of one of our most vulnerable populations, senior citizens,” she said. “As long as we have criminals with such disregard for the law, Postal Inspectors will continue to focus their efforts on the protection of the American public.” The case underscores the increasingly common use of mail and online communication to facilitate these heartless scams, and the need for continued vigilance.
Related Federal Cases
- Deirdre M. Daly, Election Fraud, Connecticut 2016 · Georgia
- Aaron Johnson, Investment Fraud Scheme, Connecticut 2024 · Connecticut
- Eduardo Rodriguez-Ayala, Passport Fraud, Waterloo IA, 2013 · Connecticut
- Willie C. Grant, ID Theft and Tax Refund Fraud, Macon GA, 2008 · Pennsylvania
- Steven A. Murray, Pesticide Fraud, Washington GA, 2023 · Georgia
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News