Kevin R. Palmer, Mail Fraud Conspiracy, New York 2019

A Jamaican citizen has pleaded guilty to defrauding an elderly Albany couple out of over $320,000 in a mail-based prize scam.

Kevin R. Palmer, 37, a resident of Suwanee, Georgia, admitted to being part of a scheme that targeted R.H. and D.H., an elderly couple residing in Albany County.

According to the investigation, Palmer and his accomplices contacted the couple through the mail and by telephone, telling them they needed to send money to receive an inheritance and tax refund, as well as claim lottery and sweepstakes prize money.

R.H. and D.H. mailed bank checks to addresses in Georgia, including Palmer's address. They sent a total of 12 checks, 10 of which were payable to Palmer, and all 12 were deposited into bank accounts for which Palmer was a signatory.

Palmer's role in the scheme was to receive checks sent by the couple, deposit them, and distribute the proceeds among the participants. He admitted to receiving a total of $321,342.

Palmer faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine when United States District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino sentences him on July 25, 2019. He may also be ordered to pay restitution to his victims.

As a result of his guilty plea, Palmer's lawful permanent resident status in the United States may be revoked, and he may be removed to Jamaica.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

Fraudsters often use the U.S. Mail to falsely inform victims that they have to pay 'fees' or 'taxes' to receive a tax refund, lottery or sweepstakes prize, or inheritance. These scams often target the elderly. To learn how to detect and avoid these scams, please visit the web site of the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0199-prize-scams.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/jamaican-citizen-pleads-guilty-defrauding-elderly-albany-couple