GRAVES COUNTY, Ky. — A Florida resident with Jamaican citizenship is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he orchestrated a lottery scam that cost a Graves County couple $83,000.
Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden announced that Deroney Facey, 38, has been charged with four felonies: engaging in organized crime, theft by unlawful taking over $10,000, securities fraud exceeding $10,000, and operating a sham or front company.
Investigators say Facey contacted the victims through a mailed notice claiming they had won a $250 million lottery jackpot. The couple called a phone number listed on the mailer and spoke with three individuals who instructed them to send money to claim the prize.
Believing the claims to be legitimate, the victims deposited a total of $83,000 into several bank accounts. Authorities later confirmed the lottery winnings were fictitious.
Graves County Detective Tony Cornwell led the investigation and worked alongside the Department of Homeland Security and the Orlando Police Department to identify Facey as the suspect. He was arrested on January 16 in Florida.
During questioning, officials say Facey admitted to participating in the scam that targeted the Graves County couple, as well as similar fraud schemes affecting victims across the United States.
Facey, who holds U.S. green card status, is currently being held on a $100,000 cash bond while awaiting an extradition hearing to Kentucky.
