Mildred Hoy, Wire and Mail Fraud Conspiracy, Pennsylvania 2022

A Bellefonte woman was sentenced to 18 months in prison for her involvement in a lottery scam that defrauded victims of nearly half a million dollars.

Mildred Hoy, 62, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann on March 1, 2022, for her participation in the wire and mail fraud conspiracy. Hoy pleaded guilty to the charges in May 2021.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the conspiracy involved victims sending money to Hoy in the belief that they had won the lottery and needed to remit fees to cover taxes. Hoy then sent cash to others in the conspiracy and converted cash into Bitcoin and deposited it in the bank accounts of other coconspirators.

Hoy’s participation in the conspiracy defrauded victims of $489,000 dollars. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur handling the prosecution.

The scheme was elaborate, with Hoy and her coconspirators using various tactics to deceive victims into sending money. Once the money was received, it was quickly laundered and distributed among the conspirators.

The sentence handed down by Chief Judge Brann is a significant blow to Hoy and her coconspirators, who have been brought to justice after a lengthy investigation.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of being cautious when receiving unsolicited notifications of winning the lottery or other prizes. Hoy’s sentence is a warning to those who would seek to exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain.

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