All 27 convicted in lottery scam case
Afederal jury last Friday convicted a Rhode Island woman of participating in a Jamaican lottery fraud scheme, which has affected about 100 identified victims with reported losses totalling more than US$6.7 million.
The guilty verdict was returned for Melinda Bulgin, 28, last Friday in North Dakota in the United States after a week-long trial.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Bulgin worked with members of a Jamaican lottery fraud conspiracy in the United States and Jamaica, and had multiple roles in the scheme. The scheme’s conspirators, located in Jamaica purchased lists containing information about US citizens, and contacted them over the phone. They told victims they had won large cash prizes and cars, but would need to pay taxes and fees in order to receive the prizes.
The scammers deliberately targeted victims over the age of 55. Victims lost anywhere from $200 to more than $100,000.
“Melinda Bulgin and her coconspirators deliberately targeted senior citizens as part of a lottery fraud scheme that affected dozens of victims, some of whom lost their life savings, life insurance, and even their homes,” said assistant attorney general Brian Benczkowski.
PLEADED GUILTY
Bulgin is the last of 27 defendants to be convicted. All others have been convicted or pleaded guilty.
The prosecution of Bulgin is related to the investigation of Sanjay Williams, Lavrick Willocks, and others who led and operated lottery scamming units. The Jamaican lottery fraud scheme is listed in the United States as a top international criminal organisation target.
Willocks, the mastermind, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 15. He faces up to 40 years in prison, although prosecutors may recommend about 10 years because he cooperated.