Los Angeles Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fraud Charges Related to Lottery Scheme that Targeted Elderly Victims

          LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles man was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison for his role in a lottery scam that targeted elderly victims with false promises of large cash prizes and cars that would be delivered when victims paid taxes, fees and insurance.

          Carl Dean Bullock, 65, of South Los Angeles, pled guilty in February to mail and wire fraud offenses for defrauding victims who were falsely told they had won the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes or other lottery prizes, but they needed to pay fees or taxes to collect the purported winnings. In addition to the prison term, Bullock was sentenced to three years’ supervised release with specific conditions regarding bank accounts and use of the mail and was ordered to pay restitution to the victims in the total amount of $227,675.21

          According to court documents, Bullock admitted that he and his co-schemers collected money from the victims of his scheme via Western Union and MoneyGram wire transfers, money orders sent through the U.S. Mail and direct cash payments. Bullock personally received at least $45,000, some of which he shared with his co-schemers, most of whom were in Jamaica.

          The investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, which received substantial assistance from the Glendale Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Michael G. Freedman of the General Crimes section.