Joseph Andre Batts, 44, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, is headed to federal prison for 70 months after admitting his role in a ruthless international lottery scam that preyed on elderly Americans. Sentenced yesterday in Tucson, Arizona, by Senior U.S. District Judge Raner C. Collins, Batts pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering and Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud—crimes that fueled years of deception targeting the vulnerable.
From 2013 to 2018, Batts operated as a key enabler for Jamaican-based scammers who flooded U.S. seniors with calls claiming they’d won big in fake lotteries. The catch? Victims had to pay upfront taxes and fees to collect their nonexistent winnings. Batts didn’t make the calls himself—he supplied the weapons: lead lists packed with the names and personal details of thousands of elderly targets. These lists turned cold calls into precision strikes on retirees living on fixed incomes.
But Batts did more than traffic data. He distributed scam scripts and template letters, essentially running a how-to franchise for fraud. Aspiring con artists got step-by-step instructions on how to manipulate, pressure, and drain elderly victims. His operation wasn’t just about access—it was about scalability, turning individual grifts into an industrial-strength racket that spanned state lines and international borders.
When the money started flowing, Batts ensured it disappeared. He enlisted associates to launder portions of the illicit proceeds, cleaning cash earned through emotional manipulation and outright lies. The scheme didn’t just steal money—it eroded trust, shattered peace of mind, and left victims questioning every phone call from an unknown number.
The investigation was a multi-agency takedown led by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations – Tucson Office, the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the Diplomatic Security Service. Their joint effort dismantled a network that had flown under the radar for years, exploiting gaps in oversight and the isolation of elderly targets.
Prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson. Case Number CR18-2216-RCC-1. Release Number 2021-084_Batts. Batts now has plenty of time to reflect—70 months behind bars—for profiting off the desperation and dignity of America’s seniors.
RELATED: Joseph Andre Batts Gets 70 Months for Elder Lottery Scam
Related Federal Cases
- Joseph Andre Batts Gets 70 Months for Elder Lottery Scam · New Jersey
- Arizona Man Admits to $4.4 Million IRS Scam · New Jersey
- Arizona Man Admits to $4.4 Million IRS Scam · New Jersey
- Tax Cheat Sentenced to 57 Months for $4.4M IRS Scam · New Jersey
- Western Union Scam · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News