BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Jamaican national accused of running a Publishers Clearinghouse-style scam has been indicted in Prentiss County, Mississippi, following a year-long investigation.
Delroy Escoffery, who frequently travels between Jamaica and the United States, was arrested after investigators linked him to a fraudulent sweepstakes scheme targeting an elderly resident.
The investigation began in June 2024, when a local senior citizen reported falling victim to a scam that promised millions in prize money. Like many sweepstakes scams, the victim was asked to provide payments—often in the form of prepaid gift cards and a cashier’s check—to cover supposed fees and taxes.
The cashier’s check provided a crucial lead that helped authorities identify Escoffery as a suspect. His name was entered into a national criminal database, and he was arrested in Florida while attempting to leave the country.
Escoffery was also wanted in New York State, where he was initially transferred to face unrelated charges. He was later extradited to Prentiss County, where a grand jury indicted him in August on charges of Mail Fraud and two counts of False Pretenses.
He is currently being held in the Prentiss County Jail, with bond set at $100,000.
Authorities are urging the public, especially senior citizens, to be cautious of anyone claiming they’ve won large sums of money—especially when upfront payments are requested.
