Jamaican National Sentenced to Prison for Lottery Fraud

CLEVELAND – Javon Jonathan Spencer, 32, of Euclid, Ohio was sentenced yesterday to 18 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud. Spencer was also ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release after incarceration and pay a $400 special assessment. Additionally, the court ordered Spencer to pay restitution to his victims in the amount of $267,314.98.

Spencer, a Jamaican National, resided with his wife in Euclid, Ohio. The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation and found that Spencer was involved in a Jamaican Operations Linked to Telemarketing (“JOLT”) fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims. In the JOLT scheme, scammers contacted the targeted individuals via mail or telephone and informed the victims that they won a lottery or sweepstakes, such as the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. However, to claim and receive the money, the victims would need to pay upfront fees or taxes.

This case was investigated by the Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Joseph P. Dangelo.