ORLANDO, FL – Two key players in a sprawling Jamaican lottery scam that bilked vulnerable Americans out of nearly $4.7 million have been sentenced in federal court, bringing a measure of justice to victims nationwide. Hassan and Alexander, convicted last November, were the linchpins in a scheme targeting primarily the elderly, promising multi-million dollar prizes in exchange for upfront “fees and taxes.” The operation funneled funds through Orlando-based businesses and ultimately to co-conspirators in Jamaica.
The jury found Hassan and Alexander guilty on November 6, 2018, after evidence revealed a meticulously crafted fraud. Victims were contacted and falsely informed they’d won a sweepstakes. Conspirators demanded wire transfers to “representatives” in Orlando, promising the money would cover necessary processing costs. Once received, the funds were quickly converted into money orders and cash, then funneled to Hassan, who operated multiple money transfer businesses.
Alexander’s role extended beyond simply handling money. She brazenly stole the personal identity information of over 35 individuals from her workplace, handing it over to her fellow fraudsters. Hassan then exploited this stolen data to launder the illicit funds, obscuring the trail of money ripped off from unsuspecting victims. In less than two years, the group managed to transfer a staggering $4.7 million to Jamaica.
This wasn’t a solo operation. Several other members of the conspiracy have already faced the consequences of their actions. Charlton Morris (39, Casselberry) received a 10-year, 1-month sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Robert Blake Madurie (29, Jamaica) was sentenced to eight years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Danny Lopez (32, Orlando) received seven years and eight months for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and Treysier LaPalme (25, Orlando) got seven years and three months on the same charge.
Oral Anthony Stewart (35, Lithonia, Georgia) also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was handed a five-year prison sentence. The U.S. Secret Service, along with the Department of Homeland Security and the SCIRS Federal Financial Crimes Task Force – a coalition including the IRS- Criminal Investigation and multiple Florida law enforcement agencies – spearheaded the investigation. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Cloud Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Winter Park Police Department, the Casselberry Police Department, the Kissimmee Police Department, the Maitland Police Department, the Palm Bay Police Department, and the U.S. Secret Service all contributed to the takedown.
Assistant United States Attorneys Karen L. Gable and Roger B. Handberg prosecuted the case for the Middle District of Florida. While these sentences offer some closure, authorities warn that Jamaican lottery scams continue to plague the United States, preying on the vulnerable. Anyone receiving unsolicited notifications of winning a foreign lottery should treat it as a scam and report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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