Buffalo, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced a significant conviction in the realm of financial chicanery as Jerry Hayes, 71, of West Seneca, NY, faced Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford and was hit with a $1,000 fine for orchestrating an elaborate scheme involving the mailing of lottery tickets and postage stamps.
Hayes, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Cantil, misled numerous individuals between 2006 and November 17, 2017, into believing they could become instant millionaires by participating in a fraudulent “club.” He distributed circulars and letters urging victims to send cash, stamps, and unscratched lottery tickets to other purported participants listed in the materials.
The defendant’s solicitation promised an endless flow of money, touting participation as a means to amass substantial wealth with minimal investment. However, the addresses provided were merely post office boxes rented by Hayes himself, all aliases used to perpetuate the illusion of a legitimate club.
Hayes collected nearly $91,000 through this scheme, utilizing various notations like “Christmas Club” and “Personal Stimulus Plan” on his mailings. His return address was “THG Funding,” PO Box 872, East Aurora, NY, 14052.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to Hayes’ conviction, with Boston Division Inspector-in-Charge Joseph W. Cronin directing the efforts.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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