Sweepstakes Scam Ring Steals $9,000,000 From Elderly Americans in Decade-Long Operation
A decade-long international fraud operation has drained more than $9 million from over 200 elderly victims across the United States through promises of fake sweepstakes prizes.
The scheme relied on unsolicited calls and texts that told seniors they had won large cash awards and luxury cars but first had to pay taxes or fees, reports reports the Jamaica Gleaner.
Scammers then demanded more payments and, in some cases, took control of victims’ bank accounts to transfer funds directly to the operators.
Thirty-year-old Jordan Trought entered a guilty plea on June 1st to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and bank fraud.
Trought was arrested in Jamaica in August 2025 and later extradited to face charges in the United States.
Federal prosecutors say he joined the Jamaica-based ring in 2021, rose to a senior leadership role, and bears responsibility for more than $6 million taken from over 100 victims.
Money from the victims flowed to associates and to an automobile business Trought ran in Jamaica.
“Trought and his co-conspirators allegedly exploited trust, age, and hope for profit, including by taking control of victims’ bank accounts and routing stolen money to Jamaica,” said US Attorney Jay Clayton.
Trought faces up to 30 years in prison and has agreed to pay $6,166,227 in restitution plus the same amount in forfeiture.
The overall ring operated from 2015 until 2025 and victimized seniors nationwide with repeated demands for upfront payments to claim nonexistent winnings.
Prosecutors emphasize that the case underscores efforts to pursue cross-border fraudsters who prey on vulnerable Americans.
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