A Jamaican citizen has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in a fraudulent lottery scheme based in Jamaica. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Dena J. King, announced that Antony Linton Stewart, aged 40, was sentenced by a federal judge in Charlotte.
Stewart 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 revealed that Stewart led the scheme from approximately 2010 through at least August 2016. He and his co-conspirators targeted elderly victims in the United States by falsely informing them of lottery winnings and requesting money for fees and taxes on these non-existent 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.”
U.S. Attorney King remarked on the severity of the crime: “Stealing money from elderly individuals is a despicable crime,” she said. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that fraudsters who target and exploit older adults for financial gain will be brought to justice.”
The prosecution is part of an ongoing effort by the Department of Justice to combat fraudulent lottery schemes originating from Jamaica targeting U.S citizens.
Both Acting Assistant Attorney General Shumate and U.S. Attorney King praised the efforts of the U.S Postal Inspection Service in investigating this case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs collaborated with Jamaican law enforcement for Stewart's arrest and extradition while significant assistance was provided by the U.S Marshals Service.
Trial Attorney Ryan E Norman from the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted this case with support from Assistant U.S Attorney Daniel Ryan from North Carolina's Western District.
For victims aged 60 or older affected by financial frauds similar to this one involving Stewart's activities—help can be accessed via National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This service provides personalized support through experienced professionals available seven days weekly between hours ranging six am till eleven pm eastern time offering guidance such as reporting procedures alongside connecting individuals directly towards appropriate agencies ensuring necessary resources referrals catered individually per caller needs.
Further information about relevant consumer protection initiatives or specific district attorney offices can be found online across various official websites like www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch or www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc alongside detailed insights regarding broader Elder Fraud Initiative at www.justice.gov/elderjustice