Five Jamaicans charged in U.S. sweepstakes fraud targeting elderly victims

Five Jamaican nationals are among six individuals charged in the United States over their alleged involvement in a sweepstakes fraud operation that prosecutors say defrauded elderly victims across the country of millions of dollars, according to a federal indictment unsealed in Connecticut.

The case was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut in coordination with the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

The six individuals charged are:

• Andre-Jon Gayle, 33, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida — Jamaican national
• Aaliyah Mayne, 25, of Dania, Florida — Jamaican national
• Onaje Chevers, 29, of Dania, Florida — Jamaican national
• Matthew Hutchinson, 24, of Williamsburg, Virginia — Jamaican national
• Courtney Reynolds, 31, of Miami, Florida — Jamaican national
• Roshaun Thompson, 24, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida — U.S. citizen

Prosecutors say that beginning around 2022, the defendants participated in a “Publishers Clearing House” impersonation scam. Victims—primarily elderly individuals across the United States—were contacted and told they had won millions in sweepstakes prizes but were required to pay upfront taxes or fees to claim their winnings.

Authorities allege victims were instructed to send payments via checks, cash, and money orders. In some cases, victims were also drawn into a “sponsor program,” where money was cycled between victims and conspirators to make the scam appear legitimate. Prosecutors further say scheme participants obtained victims’ personal identifying information, including driver’s licences, banking details, and credit card information, which was then used for personal expenditures. In addition, Social Security benefits were allegedly diverted into Green Dot bank accounts opened and controlled by the defendants.

On June 2, 2026, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging each defendant with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, five counts of mail fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Each of these offenses carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Authorities said arrests were made between June 4 and June 10, 2026. Mayne, Chevers, and Reynolds were arrested on June 4; Thompson on June 5; Hutchinson on June 9; and Gayle on June 10.

Gayle, Hutchinson, Reynolds, and Thompson appeared in Bridgeport federal court, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were released on $250,000 bonds. Mayne and Chevers are currently detained.

U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan said the operation “ruthlessly preyed upon the vulnerability of our elderly citizens” and defrauded victims of millions of dollars, adding that legitimate sweepstakes winners are never required to pay upfront fees or taxes to claim prizes.

IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Thomas Demeo said the case reflects continued efforts to pursue those who target the elderly and emphasized that Social Security benefits were also allegedly stolen in the scheme.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service Acting Inspector in Charge J. Buck Buckley described the conduct as a “cruel crime” and said the agency will continue aggressively investigating fraud targeting vulnerable communities.

Officials stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.