In a startling turn of events, three people from Georgia have been charged in a major fraud case that targeted older adults in several states, including Rhode Island. This group allegedly ran a scam that tricked many seniors into believing they had won large prizes in fake lottery and sweepstakes contests. The fraudsters reportedly stole at least one million dollars from their victims, making this a serious crime.
How the Scam Worked
The accused individuals are Patrick Dallas, Stacey Robinson, and Owen Demoy Byfield. They are all from Georgia and have been charged in federal court for their involvement in a scheme that fooled many elderly people. According to court documents, they pretended to be representatives of “Publishers Clearing House” (PCH) or similar sweepstakes. They convinced seniors that they had won millions of dollars, but there was a catch.
To collect their supposed winnings, the victims were told they needed to pay fees upfront. These fees could be in the form of cash, gift cards, or valuable items like Rolex watches and iPhones. The fraudsters asked the victims to send this money to different addresses that they controlled. This method allowed them to hide their tracks and avoid being caught for a long time.
One particular victim, a 77-year-old man from Rhode Island, received a message claiming he had won $17.5 million. Excited but unaware it was a scam, he contacted the prize representative listed in the notification. Soon after, he was pressured by someone else who claimed to be from PCH. They told him to wire transfer $100,000 to a bank account linked to the scammers. This man was further instructed to buy three Rolex watches worth nearly $43,000 and send them to various addresses controlled by the fraudsters.
Victims Across Multiple States
The investigation into this scam revealed that the fraudsters did not just target one person or one state. Many seniors from at least ten different states fell victim to similar tricks. They all received fake notifications claiming they had won prizes, only to be told they needed to pay fees or taxes to claim their winnings.
The fraud was so convincing that many victims did not realize they were being scammed until it was too late. In fact, the Rhode Island victim was so caught up in the scam that he sent several checks totaling $120,000. However, when he tried to send the checks via FedEx, an employee noticed something was off. The employee advised him that he was likely being scammed and suggested he contact the local police. This small act of awareness helped the man avoid losing even more money.
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Authorities, including the Warwick Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, worked together to uncover the extent of the scam. Their investigation found that the fraudsters used various methods to move and hide the money they stole. This included laundering the funds by moving them through different bank accounts and businesses that they controlled.
Legal Charges and Investigation
Due to their actions, Patrick Dallas, Stacey Robinson, and Owen Demoy Byfield now face serious legal consequences. They have been charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering. These charges indicate that the authorities believe the three worked together as part of a larger plan to defraud and exploit vulnerable seniors.
It is crucial to understand that a federal criminal complaint is simply an accusation. This means that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The legal process will take its course to determine the truth of the allegations against them.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams. The investigation involved several agencies, including local police and federal investigators from different departments. This collaboration highlights the importance of law enforcement working together to protect vulnerable populations from fraud.
If you or someone you know is an older adult who has been affected by financial scams, help is available. The National Elder Fraud Hotline can provide support to seniors who might have fallen victim to similar schemes. They can assist in reporting the fraud and offer resources to help victims navigate their situation.
This shocking case serves as a reminder of the need for awareness and caution, especially for older individuals who may be targeted by scammers. Understanding how these scams work can help prevent more people from becoming victims in the future.
