Broward County resident Elizabeth Gonzalez, 25, has pleaded guilty to participating in a Jamaican-based lotto fraud, valued at $500,000, specifically targeting senior citizens in the U.S.
Formerly a nurse based in Miami Gardens, Gonzalez pleaded guilty yesterday to federal conspiracy charges in a federal court in Fort Lauderdale. Her husband, local musician Delroy “Top Banga” Drummond, has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy in the scheme back in March, and has been locked up without bond since January. Gonzalez, however, has been freed on a $100,000 bond. Currently pregnant, Gonzales told the court that her husband had dragged her into the scheme, and that she was “afraid” to deny him.
In her guilty plea, Gonzalez confessed to receiving nine wire transfers from the victims of the lotto scheme. Jamaican-based co-conspirators would call and convince victims that they has won a lotto prize, but need to pay taxes and fees before receiving the cash. The victims were then directed to Gonzalez and Drummond to pay the fraudulent fees.
Gonzalez may face up to 18 months in federal prison. She will be sentences July 27. Drummond is scheduled to be sentenced on May 31, where he will face a maximum statutory sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
