For seven years, she believed a life-changing prize was just one payment away.
Instead, the elderly Californian woman was slowly drained of her savings by a man thousands of miles away. This week, that deception ended in a US federal courtroom, where a Jamaican extradited to the US was sentenced for orchestrating a long-running sweepstakes fraud that preyed on trust, hope, and persistence.
A Seven-Year Scam Built on False Hope
Court records show that Dwayne Anderson, 36, of Hannover, Jamaica, ran the scheme between 2010 and 2017. Using fake names and multiple communication channels, he contacted the victim repeatedly, convincing her that she had won millions in a sweepstakes.
The catch, he claimed, was simple but relentless.
Before the winnings could be released, she needed to pay fees and taxes.
Again and again, Anderson pressured her to send money, insisting each payment was the final step before her fortune would arrive. Over time, the victim sent more than US$181,000, believing she was on the verge of receiving her prize.
How the Money Was Moved
Investigators revealed that Anderson directed the woman to send funds to an associate in South Dakota. Each successful payment was followed by new demands, carefully crafted to keep the victim engaged and compliant.
This pattern is a common hallmark of international sweepstakes fraud: small promises, escalating requests, and emotional manipulation that stretches over months or even years.
In this case, it stretched over seven.
Jamaican Extradited to US After International Investigation
The case gained momentum in 2024 when Anderson was arrested in Jamaica on July 11, following a United States indictment. After months of legal proceedings, he was extradited to the US, marking another instance of cross-border cooperation targeting international fraud networks.
In September 2025, Anderson pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. At sentencing, the court imposed more than five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
He was also ordered to repay the full amount stolen: US$181,075 in restitution to the victim.
A Message Beyond One Case
US authorities credited the Jamaica Constabulary Force and international law enforcement partners for their role in securing the arrest and extradition. Officials say the case sends a clear signal that distance and time do not protect perpetrators of financial crimes.
For investigators, the conviction highlights how long-running scams can quietly devastate victims, particularly older individuals who may be targeted repeatedly.
For the public, it serves as a sobering reminder: legitimate sweepstakes do not demand fees, taxes, or secrecy.
The Human Cost of Deception
Behind the court documents and sentencing numbers is a deeper truth. Seven years of manipulation can erase savings, peace of mind, and trust in a way that prison sentences cannot fully undo.
As more fraud schemes cross borders and move online, cases like this show that accountability can still catch up — even years later.
And for victims, justice, though delayed, can still arrive.
