Pawtucket Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Prize Scam Against the Elderly

Pawtucket Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Prize Scam Against the Elderly

A Pawtucket man has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for taking part in a prize scam targeting the elderly, announced U.S. Attorney Aaron Weisman on Thursday.

Shawn Whitfield, 49, admitted to receiving over $109,000 in upfront payments from victims of the scam who were led to believe they had won cash or prizes in a lottery or sweepstakes.

“This defendant’s sentence provides him the opportunity to reflect on the financial and emotional turmoil he caused dozens of people, most of them elderly, when he and his cohorts stole their money. My office, like Department of Justice offices across the country, is committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions like in this case, training and resources, victim services, and public awareness. Our prosecutors and advocates make themselves available to the community to discuss the warning signs of scams and steps to take to help ensure that they do not become a scammer’s next victim,” said Weisman.

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Whitfield was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims, the amount to be determined at a later date.

The sentence comes after Whitfield pleaded guilty on June 3, 2019, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud.

The Investigation

According to the U.S. Attorney, Whitfield led victims to believe they won cash or prizes in a lottery or sweepstakes.

Some victims were told they had won as much as $82 million. Others were told they were in line to receive $5,000 a week for life.

Mercedes Benz vehicles were among the valuable prizes some of the victims were told they had won.

In each instance, victims were told their winnings would not be released to them without upfront payment of taxes or fees.

According to court documents, information presented to the Court by the Government, and by victims and family members who made or provided impact statements to the Court, individuals sent payments to Whitfield ranging between $212 and $50,000.

Some reported sending multiple payments after being instructed to do so by the scammers.

According to the U.S. Attorney, the majority of the funds Whitfield collected were transferred electronically to co-conspirators and others, most often to individuals in Jamaica.

United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) agents, assisted by members of the Pawtucket Police Department, Rhode Island State Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service, executed a court-authorized search of Whitfield’s residence on February 20, 2018.

Simultaneously, Whitfield was arrested at his place of employment in Norwood, Mass., by USPIS agents.