Steve Jurrens
Dwayne Anderson, a 35-year-old Jamaican national, appeared in a Sioux Falls court today following his extradition from Jamaica. Anderson is accused of being involved in a multi-year scheme that defrauded a California woman of millions of dollars through a fake sweepstakes scam.
The charges against Anderson, outlined in an indictment filed in February 2023, accuse him of using various aliases to deceive the victim over a period of seven years, from 2010 to 2017. Anderson allegedly contacted the woman through phone calls, text messages, and emails, informing her that she had won a large sum of money in a sweepstakes.
However, in order to claim her supposed winnings, Anderson convinced the victim that she needed to pay fees and taxes. He provided specific instructions on how and where to send the money, which continued over time with promises that the victim would eventually receive her prize. The scheme escalated further in September 2017, when Anderson allegedly persuaded the woman to travel to Jamaica to collect her prize in person. Upon her arrival, Anderson instructed the victim to bring $1,600 in cash, which a driver collected from her at the airport.
Despite fulfilling Anderson’s demands, the victim never received the promised winnings. Instead, she became a victim of a classic sweepstakes fraud scheme that left her out of pocket and emotionally distressed.
The case came to light thanks to coordinated efforts between international law enforcement agencies. Under a U.S. extradition request, the Jamaican Constabulary Force arrested Anderson on July 11th. The U.S. Department of Justice praised the cooperation between the two countries in bringing Anderson to justice.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch stressed that the Justice Department is dedicated to prosecuting transnational criminals who defraud Americans, regardless of where they are located. U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell for the District of South Dakota also underscored the District’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting fraudsters targeting vulnerable individuals.
The U.S. Department of Justice also highlighted the resources available to victims of elder fraud, including the National Elder Fraud Hotline, which helps victims of scams like Anderson’s to recover losses and connect with relevant agencies. Reporting fraud, the Department noted, increases the likelihood of both recovery and identifying offenders.
Anderson now faces eight counts of wire fraud, with each count carrying a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Brandon Robers and Edward Emokpae of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, alongside Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Hoffman for the District of South Dakota.
Although Anderson has been indicted, it is important to note that the indictment is merely an accusation, and Anderson is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The case serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of sweepstakes scams and the need for vigilance against deceptive tactics, particularly when it comes to elderly and vulnerable individuals.
As the case progresses, authorities continue to warn the public about fraudulent schemes targeting unsuspecting victims and urge anyone who has been scammed to report the incident immediately to authorities.