JACKSONVILLE, FL – Darryl Cleon Forbes, 27, of Jamaica, is headed to federal prison for more than five years after being sentenced for his role in a ruthless lottery and prize scam that preyed on vulnerable Americans. U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis handed down the 5-year, 6-month sentence on Wednesday, along with a hefty $2.4 million forfeiture order and a demand for $1,122,957 in restitution to the victims.
Forbes pleaded guilty on November 18, 2019, admitting to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Court documents reveal a scheme that stretched from early 2015 to December 2017, operating out of Jamaica and the Middle District of Florida, and impacting victims nationwide. Forbes and his accomplices weren’t just running a scam; they were impersonating federal law enforcement – claiming to be from the FBI or Department of Treasury – to convince victims they’d won a sweepstakes.
The con was simple, yet devastatingly effective. Victims were told they needed to front money for “fees” and “taxes” to claim their supposed winnings, wiring funds or using other methods to appease the fake officials. Forbes and his crew specifically targeted elderly individuals, knowing their increased susceptibility to fraud. Once they’d hooked a victim, the pressure didn’t stop. They relentlessly “reloaded” their marks with repeated phone calls and more lies, demanding additional payments to ensure the “safe delivery” of the phantom prize – a cycle that continued as long as the victims kept sending money.
And no one ever received a prize. Every dollar sent was pocketed by Forbes and his co-conspirators for their own personal gain. The operation extended beyond phone calls. Forbes and his team recruited individuals within the United States to open bank accounts, laundering the fraudulently obtained funds. They also stole personal identifying information from victims to facilitate the transfers, directing the stolen money to accomplices in Jamaica and elsewhere for ATM withdrawals.
This wasn’t a fly-by-night operation. It was a calculated, multi-faceted scheme designed to exploit trust and desperation. The investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who built a solid case against Forbes and his network. Assistant United States Attorneys Jay Taylor and Ashley Washington prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and ensuring Forbes faces serious consequences for his actions.
The sentencing of Darryl Cleon Forbes sends a clear message: preying on vulnerable Americans, especially the elderly, will not be tolerated. While the financial restitution is a step toward making victims whole, the emotional and psychological scars of this fraud will likely linger. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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