ST. LOUIS, MO – Fernando Reyes, 38, of Florida, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced today to 12 months and a day for his role in a predatory sweepstakes scheme that bilked an elderly Missouri resident out of tens of thousands of dollars. U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry handed down the sentence in federal court this morning.
The scheme, which began in April 2016, targeted a Missouri resident over the age of 80 with repeated phone calls falsely claiming the victim had won a substantial prize in a sweepstakes. The callers instructed the victim to send money to individuals in both New Hampshire and Florida – specifically, to Reyes – as a condition of receiving their purported winnings. Reyes brazenly presented himself as a federal attorney, a complete fabrication designed to instill trust and silence any suspicion.
Reyes wasn’t an attorney, and had no affiliation with any federal agency. Instead, he operated as a critical “money mule,” receiving funds from victims like the Missouri resident and funneling them to co-conspirators based in Costa Rica. While Reyes only pocketed a portion of the stolen money, authorities say his involvement was key to obscuring the international origins of the scam. By using a U.S. address and bank account, Reyes provided a false sense of security that lulled the vulnerable victim into believing the scheme was legitimate.
Court documents reveal Reyes deposited four checks totaling a staggering $53,000 from the Missouri resident into his personal accounts. He then electronically wired a portion of the money to Costa Rica, keeping the rest for himself. This wasn’t an isolated incident. Reyes also admitted to defrauding an elderly resident of the Northern District of Alabama, receiving $45,000 from that victim as well.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, highlighting the role of the postal service in tracking and prosecuting mail fraud schemes. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry is prosecuting the case as part of a broader Department of Justice initiative to combat the growing epidemic of elder fraud nationwide. The DOJ recognizes that elderly Americans are disproportionately targeted by these schemes, and is committed to bringing perpetrators to justice.
If you or someone you know has been targeted by a similar scam, authorities urge you to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/ or by calling 877-FTC-HELP. Resources for elder fraud victims are also available through the Department of Justice’s Office of Victims of Crime at www.ovc.gov. Don’t become the next victim – report suspected fraud immediately.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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