Jamaican Citizen Sentenced to Over 5 Years in Federal Prison for Spearheading a Long-Running Fraudulent Sweepstakes Scheme

SIOUX FALLS – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Jamaican citizen, who was previously extradited to the United States from Jamaica. The sentencing took place on December 15, 2025.

Dwayne Anderson, age 36, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $181,075.60 and assessed $100 for the Federal Crime Victim’s Fund.

Anderson was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2023.  In July 2024, Jamaican authorities arrested him and agreed to a United States request he be extradited to this country to face his federal charges.  He pleaded guilty to Wire Fraud in September 2025.

The conviction stemmed from Anderson’s participation in a scheme to defraud an American woman from as early as 2010 until September 2017.  Using phony names, Anderson contacted the victim by telephone, text message, and email and falsely informed her that she had won millions of dollars in a sweepstakes.  He persuaded the victim, who believed his false representations, to send money to pay various purported fees and taxes associated with the sweepstakes.  He instructed her on how, and to whom, to send these payments.  Anderson repeatedly contacted the victim with additional requests to pay money and told her that her winnings would be forthcoming if she paid the requested money.  The victim paid the purported fees, losing more than $181,000, but never received any of the purported winnings.

“This case underscores the devastating impact that sweepstakes scams have on older Americans who are targeted because of their trust and generosity,” said U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons.  “This conviction sends a clear message that we are committed to protecting our seniors and dismantling the criminal networks—here and overseas—who seek to exploit them.”

“If you target vulnerable Americans with schemes designed to steal their hard-earned money, you will become our target,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service knows no boundaries when it comes to protecting our communities. We will find you, we will stop you, and we will hold you accountable.”

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service. Former Assistant United States Attorney Ann Hoffman and Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.  They were joined Assistant Chief J. Matt Williams and Trial Attorneys Brandon J. Robers and Edward E. Emokpae of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

Anderson was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.