Four individuals have been arrested in Foley, Alabama, on charges related to a lottery scam. The suspects, all Jamaican nationals and current or former residents of Baldwin County, allegedly received over $200,000 from victims nationwide. These victims were misled into believing they had won a lottery and were instructed to send cash as "taxes" to addresses controlled by the defendants.
The accused are Peter Walcott, Malik Chambers, Romario Nembhard, and Jermaine Smith. They face charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit these offenses. If convicted, they could each face up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama and Special Agent in Charge Paul W. Brown of the FBI's Mobile Division announced the arrests.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI's Mobile Division with support from various agencies including the FBI Baltimore Division, United States Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Customs and Border Patrol, Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General, Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, Mobile County Sheriff's Office, Foley Police Department, Gulf Shores Police Department, and Silverhill Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mike Anderson and Kasee Heisterhagen are handling prosecution for this case.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.