A federal jury in Orlando, Florida has convicted Nadine Bromfield Alexander (39, Orlando) and Shameer Hassan (45, Kissimmee) of participating in a fraudulent Jamaican sweepstakes scheme that targeted elderly victims throughout the United States.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Alexander and Hassan operated the scheme in the Middle District of Florida and Jamaica, where they falsely informed victims that they had won a multi-million dollar prize in a sweepstakes contest. The conspirators told the victims to wire funds to ‘representatives’ in Orlando to prepay fees and taxes on the prize money.
Upon receipt of the funds, other members of the conspiracy converted the funds to money orders and cash. They then paid Hassan, who operated several money transfer businesses, to wire the fraud proceeds to Jamaica.
Alexander stole the personal identity information belonging to more than 35 individuals from her workplace and gave it to her co-conspirators. Hassan used the stolen information to launder the funds. In less than two years, Hassan and his co-conspirators transferred more than $3 million in funds obtained from victims to conspirators in Jamaica.
The case was investigated by the SCIRS Federal Financial Crimes Task Force, whose members include the IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Cloud Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Winter Park Police Department, the Casselberry Police Department, the Kissimmee Police Department, the Maitland Police Department, the Palm Bay Police Department, and the U.S. Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Karen L. Gable and Roger B. Handberg.
The jury found Alexander and Hassan guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and three counts of aggravated identity theft. Hassan was also found guilty of eight counts of money laundering. Each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the conspiracy charges, and a mandatory minimum of two years for the aggravated identity theft charges. Hassan also faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the money laundering charges.
The sentencing hearings are scheduled for January 21, 2019. Alexander and Hassan were indicted on May 31, 2018.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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