Money Launderer for Lottery Scam Convicted

Contact Person: Eric Klumb (843) 727-4381

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that a federal jury sitting in Florence, South Carolina, found Woody Graham, 36, guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Graham was wiring fraud proceeds to Jamaica on behalf of a group running a bogus lottery scam that targeted elderly victims around the country, notifying them that they had won a lottery or sweepstakes, but that they needed to pay fees or taxes in advance in order to receive their winnings. A total of 18 individuals have been indicted in the case; 15 have entered guilty pleas; three have been sentenced to prison terms. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, presided over the trial, which lasted two days.

The case was investigated by Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). Assistant United States Attorneys A. Bradley Parham and Eric Klumb are prosecuting the case.