A federal judge in Charlotte has sentenced a Jamaican citizen, Antony Linton Stewart, to prison for operating a fraudulent lottery scheme based in Jamaica. This announcement was made by Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Stewart, aged 40, pleaded guilty on August 3, 2023, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. On January 27, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Conrad sentenced him to 84 months in prison and ordered him to pay $1,104,041.74 in restitution.
Court documents reveal that Stewart admitted leading a lottery fraud scheme from approximately 2010 through at least August 2016. He and his co-conspirators targeted elderly victims in the United States by falsely claiming they had won money and other prizes in a sweepstakes or lottery. Victims were told they needed to send money for fees and taxes on their supposed winnings but never received any prizes.
“Overseas lottery schemes are unfortunately a common means by which foreign criminals seek to target United States citizens, particularly elder Americans,” stated Acting Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Such schemes are unacceptable, and the Department will hold accountable those who participate in them.”
“Stealing money from elderly individuals is a despicable crime,” commented U.S. Attorney King. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that fraudsters who target and exploit older adults for financial gain will be brought to justice.”
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s efforts to work with federal and foreign law enforcement agencies to combat fraudulent lottery schemes originating from Jamaica that prey on U.S. citizens.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Shumate and U.S. Attorney King praised the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs collaborated with law enforcement partners in Jamaica to arrest and extradite Stewart with significant assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.
The prosecution was handled by Trial Attorney Ryan E. Norman of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch with help from Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Ryan of the Western District of North Carolina.
For victims aged 60 or older affected by financial fraud, assistance is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). Managed by the Office for Victims of Crime under the U.S. Department of Justice, this hotline provides personalized support including identifying appropriate reporting agencies and offering resources on a case-by-case basis.
Further information about consumer protection can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch and details about elder fraud initiatives are available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
