Jamaican National Sentenced to Over Three Years for Lottery Fraud Scheme

A Jamaican national has been sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in a widespread lottery fraud scheme that defrauded victims, many of whom were elderly, out of more than $3 million. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Nickoy Campbell, 30, received a sentence of 42 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay over $3 million in restitution. Campbell was found guilty of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

The scheme operated from September 2022 to February 2024, during which Campbell and his associates used the U.S. mail to target victims across the country. The perpetrators would inform victims that they had won a substantial cash prize in a lottery or sweepstakes. However, to claim their supposed winnings, victims were instructed to pay taxes and other fees in advance. In reality, the victims never received any prize money and instead lost the advance payments, with some losing their life savings. The court determined that Campbell personally received more than $500,000 of the victims’ funds.

This case is part of a broader initiative by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) aimed at combating transnational criminal organizations. The HSTF employs a collaborative approach, integrating personnel from various federal agencies, including law enforcement agents and intelligence analysts, to address threats to public safety and national security.

Other individuals involved in the scheme have also pleaded guilty. Tavoy Farquharson, 34, also a Jamaican national, and brothers Wayne Henry, 36, and Dwayne Henry, 34, both of Landover Hills, Maryland, have admitted their roles in the conspiracy. Farquharson and Dwayne Henry each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, with their sentencings scheduled for later this month. Wayne Henry faces a maximum of 22 years, including a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft, with his sentencing set for September.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Inspector General, and the Prince George’s County Police Department were recognized for their investigative contributions to the case.

For individuals aged 60 and older who have been victims of financial fraud, resources are available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11. This hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, provides support and guidance in identifying appropriate reporting agencies and connecting victims with necessary resources. The hotline is staffed Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time and offers services in English, Spanish, and other languages. Further information on the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative can be found at http://www.elderjustice.gov. Anyone with information about criminal activity can also contact ICE’s Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or submit a tip online.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland

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