CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — Gary Hugh Flash, 27, of Fort Lauderdale, has been arrested and charged in connection with a multi-state lottery scam that defrauded senior citizens out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Flash faces charges including scheme to defraud, obtaining property by false personation, and grand theft. Investigators allege Flash fraudulently obtained funds and deposited them directly into his bank accounts.
The scam, which took place between 2021 and 2022, involved callers impersonating IRS agents or sweepstakes officials. Victims were told they had won large sums of money but had to pay upfront taxes or fees to claim their prizes.
One victim, an 81-year-old woman from Massachusetts, reportedly lost $193,000 after sending treasurer’s checks, including one made payable to Flash, believing she had won $10 million. Another victim in California borrowed $9,500 to send a cashier’s check after being promised sweepstakes winnings.
Authorities also uncovered that victims received fake locked boxes supposedly containing winnings, but police found these boxes to be empty upon inspection.
Court documents reveal the scam had international links, with a Jamaican man identified as the alleged mastermind. Flash is accused of introducing this man to other conspirators and handling large cash deposits, including over $70,000 deposited into his own bank accounts. Investigators believe much of the stolen money was transferred overseas.
Flash was arrested on August 18 by the Coral Springs Police Department and is currently held without bond at the Broward County Main Jail.
