Jamaican Lottery Scammer Anderson Admits $181K Fraud

SIOUX FALLS, SD – A Jamaican national is facing the consequences after admitting to a years-long scheme designed to bleed a California woman dry. Dwayne Anderson, 35, of Hannover, Jamaica, pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota to federal wire fraud charges, bringing an end to a case that spanned continents and nearly a decade.

Anderson wasn’t some local con man. He was extradited from Jamaica after being arrested on July 11, 2024, based on a U.S. indictment. The feds hauled him across the ocean to face justice, and he’s been cooling his heels in American lockup ever since. The scheme itself was depressingly simple, but devastatingly effective. Starting as early as 2010 and continuing until September 2017, Anderson bombarded the victim with calls, texts, and emails, falsely claiming she’d won millions in a sweepstakes.

He didn’t just tell her she won; he systematically milked her for cash. Anderson, using aliases, convinced the woman to send over $181,000 to cover “fees” and “taxes” associated with her supposed winnings. He dictated exactly where and how to send the money, repeatedly hitting her up for more, promising the jackpot was just around the corner – as long as she paid. Of course, the winnings never materialized. The victim was left with nothing but empty promises and a depleted bank account.

“The Department of Justice is committed to protecting Americans from the threats posed by transnational criminals and will vigorously pursue them, wherever they are located,” declared Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. It’s a nice statement, but the real message is this: if you think you can rip off Americans from another country, we will find you and we will prosecute you. This case underscores the DOJ’s dedication to tackling these foreign-based schemes.

U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell for the District of South Dakota added, “Americans are increasingly falling victim to devastating fraud schemes perpetrated by transnational criminals… Whether it happens in a rural community or a metropolitan area, the Department of Justice will ensure these criminals are held to account for their shameless targeting of vulnerable individuals and their hard-earned savings.” Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the USPIS Criminal Investigations Group was equally blunt: “If you target vulnerable Americans with schemes designed to steal their hard-earned money, you will become our target.”

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service spearheaded the investigation, with crucial assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, who coordinated with Jamaican law enforcement to secure Anderson’s arrest and extradition in August 2024. The prosecution team includes Assistant Director J. Matt Williams, Senior Trial Attorney Brandon Robers, Trial Attorney Edward E. Emokpae, of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Hoffman for the District of South Dakota. Victims of elder fraud can seek help at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). Reporting is critical; it helps authorities identify perpetrators and potentially recover losses.

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