01-04-2025
Georgia man indicted for sweepstakes scam
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A Jamaican citizen and Georgia resident was indicted by a federal grand jury of allegedly running a sweepstakes scam which included a victim in Connecticut.
Jimmy Smith, 30, of Hinesville, Ga., was arrested on March 17 and is currently in home detention with electronic monitoring. He is scheduled to be arraigned in New Haven federal court on Friday.
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The indictment alleges that Smith and others defrauded at least four victims residing in Connecticut, New York, California and Texas. The alleged victims were told they had won a Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes and needed to pay taxes or a fee in order to claim the prize.
Smith allegedly recruited others to use their bank accounts to deposit the money that had been paid by the victims. The co-conspirators then withdrew cash and gave it to Smith, or sent Smith money using bank transfer applications.
In July 2022, the alleged Connecticut victim was contacted by telephone and told she had won a $2.5 million sweepstakes prize, and needed to pay taxes to claim the winnings.
In August of that year, the victim mailed a $75,000 check paid to the order of Keshelski & K Transport to an address in Brooklyn, N.Y. The account was deposited into an account in the name of Keshelski & K Transports LLC, which was controlled by Keshelski Bates, an alleged co-conspirator of Smith.
The indictment also alleges that Smith participated in a separate scheme that defrauded an Arkansas resident who believed he was paying for farm equipment.
The indictment charges Smith with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conduct illegal monetary transactions. Each offense carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison.
On January 21, Keshelski Bates, 30, also of Hinesville, Georgia, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. He was released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
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