Five Jamaicans Face US Federal Charges in Multi-Million-Dollar Elder Fraud Case

United States authorities have indicted six people, five of them Jamaican nationals, in connection with an alleged fraud ring said to have taken millions of dollars from elderly Americans.

Prosecutors accuse the group of pretending to work for Publishers Clearing House and convincing victims to pay fees and taxes upfront for prizes that were never awarded. The operation, which investigators link to activity beginning in 2022, is said to have hit older residents in multiple parts of the country.

Investigators also allege that some victims lost personal and banking details, while in other cases Social Security benefits were moved into accounts controlled by those charged.

The Jamaicans named in the indictment are Andre-Jon Gayle, Aaliyah Mayne, Onaje Chevers, Matthew Hutchinson, and Courtney Reynolds. The sixth defendant, Roshaun Thompson, is a United States citizen.

The accused face several charges, including mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Five of the defendants have entered not-guilty pleas. Two remain in custody, and the others have been released on bond while awaiting trial.