A Landover Hills man has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to a lottery fraud scheme that targeted victims across the United States, many of whom were elderly.
Wayne Henry, 36, admitted guilt to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, alongside officials from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations – Maryland, the U.S. Treasury Office of Inspector General, and the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to public filings, Henry conspired with others between October 2020 and February 2024 to use mail services as part of a lottery fraud operation. The scheme convinced victims they had won large sums through lotteries or sweepstakes but required them to pay taxes or fees upfront in order to claim their supposed winnings. In reality, victims never received any prize money and lost the advance payments.
The filings also state that Henry used another person’s identifying information to pay for postage related to fraudulent lottery solicitations sent to additional victims.
Henry faces up to 22 years in federal prison if convicted on all counts. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year sentence consecutive to any other penalty imposed. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Three co-conspirators—Nickoy Campbell, 30; Tavoy Farquharson, 34; and Wayne’s brother Dwayne Henry, 34—have previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges linked with the same scheme. Campbell and Farquharson are Jamaican nationals. Each faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing for Campbell and Dwayne Henry is set for March 2; Farquharson will be sentenced on March 23.
Authorities emphasize the importance of consumer reporting in combating schemes that target older adults. Individuals aged 60 or older who have experienced financial fraud can seek assistance through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311 (available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.), which provides support and connects victims with appropriate resources (www.elderjustice.gov). Complaints can also be filed online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or by calling 1-800-225-5324.
Kelly O. Hayes thanked investigative agencies for their work on this case and acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Motsay for prosecuting it.
Further details about efforts against fraud and available resources can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
"U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USPIS, HSI Maryland, the Treasury OIG, and PGPD for their investigative efforts. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Motsay who is prosecuting the federal case."
"For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud."
Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcement’s efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults."If you or someone you know is age 60 or older, and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available. Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers through assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps, including identifying appropriate reporting agencies, providing information to callers to assist them in reporting or connecting them with agencies, and providing resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis." "The hotline is staffed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available." "Learn more about the Department’s Elder Justice Initiative at www.elderjustice.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.." "Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at this website or by calling 1-800-225-5324."
