Jamaican man convicted in international lottery scam

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Davel Godfrey Young, 52, of Montego Bay, Jamaica, was convicted of wire fraud today in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
 
Young, along with other individuals, made a series of unsolicited phone calls and sent unsolicited emails to a variety of United States citizens. Young informed these individuals that they had won a multi-million dollar lottery prize and a new Mercedes Benz or BMW vehicle. Young then informed the purported lottery winners that in order to receive their lottery prizes, they needed to pay taxes and processing fees by wiring finds to Jamaica and various locations within the United States.

Young further sent fraudulent documentation that misleadingly appeared to be official government forms and unlawfully portrayed the names and symbols of the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Treasury, and Federal Reserve Board. Young also transmitted electronic images of forged multi-million dollar cashier’s checks.

Young pled guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.” He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offensebis and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.