A Jamaican man has admitted his guilt in a sweepstakes scheme that defrauded vulnerable elderly Americans out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Damone Oakley, 41, pleaded guilty to mail and wire fraud charges in a Pennsylvania court after being extradited from Jamaica. The scheme involved contacting victims via mail, phone calls, and text messages, posing as officials like "Officer Alex Logan" or "Officer Stan Valentine," and informing them of fictitious sweepstakes winnings. Victims were told they needed to pay taxes and fees to claim their prizes, which included millions of dollars and luxury vehicles.

Oakley received the fraudulent payments through various methods, including wire transfers, direct deposits, and mail. He sometimes used intermediaries in the U.S. and other countries to transfer the funds to him. Some victims were even instructed to purchase electronics, jewelry, and clothing, which were then shipped to Oakley in Jamaica via forwarding services in Florida.

U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam emphasized the commitment to protecting elderly victims from such schemes. Eric Shen, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Criminal Investigations Group, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the dedication to pursuing scammers who exploit vulnerable individuals. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Marshals, investigated the case, collaborating with Jamaican law enforcement to secure Oakley's arrest and extradition. This marks the first extradition requested by the U.S. under Jamaica's revised Extradition Act. The Department of Justice operates a hotline for victims of elder fraud, available at 1-833-372-8311.