Four Jamaican nationals have been arrested in Baldwin County on federal charges related to an alleged fraudulent lottery scheme that targeted victims across the country, many of whom were elderly. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the defendants—Jamaican nationals residing in Baldwin County—allegedly orchestrated a scam in which victims were falsely told they had won a lottery but needed to send cash payments as supposed “taxes” on their winnings. 

Over 100 shipments totaling more than $200,000 were funneled to fictitious names at addresses controlled by the accused. The arrested individuals—Peter Walcott, Malik Chambers, Romario Nembhard, and Jermaine Smith—now face charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, each carrying a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

From the Department of Justice:

Four current and former residents of Baldwin County, Alabama were arrested today in Foley on criminal charges related to their alleged participation in a fraudulent lottery scam.

According to court documents, the defendants, all Jamaican nationals, received more than $200,000 in over 100 shipments of cash from victims across the country who had falsely been told that they had won a lottery. The victims, many of them elderly, had been directed to pay “taxes” on their lottery winnings by sending cash to fictitious names at addresses controlled by the defendants in Baldwin County. The following individuals were arrested on a criminal complaint charging them with mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud:

Peter Walcott, Malik Chambers, Romario Nembhard, and Jermaine Smith.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.