Federal prosecutors in Connecticut say a crew of six is behind a multi-state sweepstakes scam that targeted older Americans, drained bank accounts and left some victims scrambling to cover basic expenses. According to the indictment, callers told people they had hit it big in a Publishers Clearing House prize drawing, then pushed them to pay upfront "fees" and "taxes" before any money would supposedly be released. Investigators say the cash was funneled through accounts the defendants controlled, while the promised jackpots never existed.
As reported by CT Post, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging the six with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, five counts of mail fraud, four counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors say the group focused on elderly victims and allegedly pulled in millions of dollars by demanding payments and collecting copies of IDs and other documents that could be misused. U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan said the case stretches back at least to 2022 and involves conduct in multiple states.
The indictment names Andre-Jon Gayle, 33, Aaliyah Mayne, 25, Onaje Chevers, 29, Matthew Hutchinson, 24, Courtney Reynolds, 31, and Roshaun Thompson, 24, with listed residences in Fort Lauderdale, Dania, Miami and Williamsburg, Virginia, according to FOX61. The six were arrested between June 4 and June 10. Prosecutors say some of them have been released on bond while others remain in custody as the case starts moving through federal court in Bridgeport.
Federal Crackdown Continues
The Connecticut case is landing in the middle of a broader Justice Department push on sweepstakes scams. In February, a separate indictment in the District of Connecticut charged another suspected organizer in a related phone and mail sweepstakes fraud, alleging bogus IRS forms, fake prize paperwork and the use of money mules to move the proceeds, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Taken together, the cases highlight an ongoing federal focus on organized prize-call operations that zero in on older Americans.
How The Scheme Worked
Investigators say victims were contacted by phone or mail and told they had landed large Publishers Clearing House prizes, then were instructed to send in money for supposed fees or taxes to unlock the winnings. Consumer advocates and law enforcement repeatedly warn that legitimate PCH winners are not required to pay upfront fees, a simple red flag that, unfortunately, many victims only learn about after the money is gone. Scammers often send convincing but counterfeit letters or checks to reel people in, as noted by AARP.
Officials say the suspects also opened and controlled bank accounts that were used to reroute victims' funds, including Social Security payments and other income, into accounts the defendants allegedly managed. By the time some victims realized there was no prize on the way, key deposits had already been diverted.
Legal Implications
The charges in the indictment each carry potential prison terms of up to 20 years. Prosecutors say the alleged scheme involves both mail and wire fraud, along with a money laundering conspiracy. Four of the defendants have entered not guilty pleas and were released on $250,000 bonds, while two remain detained pending further proceedings, according to CT Post. The case will be prosecuted in federal court in Connecticut, where pretrial hearings are expected to follow.
What Victims Should Do
Officials and advocates say that if you or a family member may have been caught up in a sweepstakes pitch like this, speed matters. Contact your bank immediately, ask that suspicious transfers be frozen if possible and file a police report. Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). For help verifying any prize offer, consult Publishers Clearing House's anti-fraud resources, according to Publishers Clearing House and consumer advocates.
AARP also urges consumers to never send money, never share Social Security numbers or bank details with unsolicited callers and to run any prize claims past trusted relatives or friends before acting. If someone says you have to pay to collect your winnings, that is your cue to hang up and walk away.
Prosecutors say these latest arrests are part of a wider federal effort to dismantle sweepstakes call centers and the laundering networks that keep them running. A related case in Georgia recently ended with a prison sentence of nearly four years, a reminder that authorities are stepping up penalties for these long-running cons, according to CT Insider.
