Rachel C. Hernandez Acting United States Attorney for the District of Arizona | U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona
On June 12, 2025, Sherwayne Benjamin Bellinfantie, also known as "Ice Man," was extradited from Jamaica to the United States. He faces charges related to a romance and sweepstakes scheme that allegedly targeted an elderly resident in Arizona. A federal grand jury in Tucson indicted Bellinfantie in March 2022 on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. He was arrested in Jamaica on July 3, 2023, under an extradition warrant.
The indictment claims that between December 2015 and January 2019, Bellinfantie and his associates engaged in a fraudulent scheme aimed at an 85-year-old resident of Vail, Arizona. They allegedly used a fictitious identity to deceive the victim into believing she was involved in a romantic relationship. As part of the scheme, flowers with love messages were sent to her home by one of the co-conspirators. Additionally, they falsely informed her that she had won a lottery or other monetary prize, prompting her to send money for supposed "taxes" or "fees." The victim reportedly lost over $400,000 due to this scheme.
If convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Bellinfantie could face up to twenty years in prison for each charge.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a formal accusation of criminal activity and does not imply guilt. An individual remains innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by evidence presented before a jury.
The FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson office conducted the investigation for this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Arizona in Tucson is responsible for the prosecution.
