A Jamaican national has been handed an 84-month prison sentence for his role in orchestrating a lottery fraud that targeted U.S. residents, the Department of Justice announced. 40-year-old Antony Linton Stewart was convicted on August 3, 2023, of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, with the sentence being handed down on Monday, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Conrad. Stewart, who has also been ordered to repay $1,104,041.74 in restitution, masterminded the scheme from Jamaica between 2010 and August 2016.
According to court documents revealed in a Department of Justice press release, Stewart admitted to duping elderly Americans by informing them over the phone that they had won money and prizes in a lottery or sweepstakes. He would convince the victims until they could no longer afford to send money, despite no winnings ever being realized. Brett A. Shumate, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, highlighted the prevalence of such schemes, and emphasized the Department's commitment to prosecuting those involved in these scams.
"Stealing money from elderly individuals is a despicable crime," said U.S. Attorney Dena J. King. "Today’s sentence sends a clear message that fraudsters who target and exploit older adults for financial gain will be brought to justice." The crackdown on fraudulent lottery operations is part of the Justice Department's broader initiative to protect U.S. citizens, notably the senior community, from foreign-based scams.
Investigations led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service paved the way for Stewart’s apprehension and later extradition with the support of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and cooperation from Jamaican law enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Ryan E. Norman of the Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Ryan of the Western District of North Carolina.
For those affected by similar frauds, especially individuals over 60, the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311) offers resources and support.
