Federal Indictment Alleges Years-Long Sweepstakes Ruse, Use Of “Money Mules,” & Laundering Through U.S. Bank Accounts

Thursday, February 12, 2026, 8:00 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

NEW HAVEN, CT.- A 31-year-old Jamaican national has been charged in federal court in Connecticut with fraud and money laundering offenses tied to an alleged sweepstakes scheme that authorities say victimized primarily elderly Americans and generated millions of dollars in losses nationwide.

     U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan for the District of Connecticut and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, announced Wednesday that Richard Murray has been charged for his alleged role in what prosecutors describe as a multi-year operation built around a familiar pitch: victims were told they had won a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes, but could only collect after paying fees and taxes up front.

Alleged Sweepstakes Scheme Targeting Seniors;

     According to the indictment, the operation had been active since at least 2018 and relied heavily on telephone contact with victims, most often elderly individuals, who were told they had won a major sweepstakes prize. Prosecutors allege victims were instructed that, to release the winnings, they first needed to send payments to cover supposed “fees” and “taxes.”

     Following the initial phone contact, investigators say Murray and others mailed victims fraudulent paperwork designed to legitimize the scheme. The documents allegedly included a “winning notification” letter falsely purporting to be from Publishers Clearing House, as well as a letter purportedly from the Internal Revenue Service stating that victims were legally required to pay taxes on their winnings.

     Victims, according to prosecutors, were directed to send cash, money orders, or checks through the mail to various addresses in Connecticut and elsewhere across the United States.

Use Of “Money Mules” And Laundering Network Alleged;

     Federal authorities allege the scheme depended on a network of intermediaries, commonly referred to as “money mules,” who received victim payments and then transferred the proceeds to Murray and other members of the conspiracy.

     The indictment states that some of these money mules were knowingly recruited, while others were themselves victims of the scam who had been deceived into accepting and transferring funds on behalf of the conspirators.

     Prosecutors further allege that Murray and his co-conspirators recruited individuals to provide bank accounts that could be used to launder proceeds, moved money through accounts held in the names of various companies, and supplied co-conspirators in Jamaica with ATM cards tied to U.S. bank accounts, allowing them to withdraw funds generated through the alleged fraud.

Federal Charges And Potential Penalties;

     A federal grand jury sitting in New Haven returned an indictment on April 16, 2024, charging Murray with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

     Each of the charged offenses carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Arrest In Georgia, Court Appearance In Connecticut;

     Authorities reported that Murray was located and arrested in Hampton, Georgia, on January 22, 2026. He appeared on Wednesday in federal court in New Haven before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector, entered a plea of not guilty, and has been detained since his arrest.

     The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Forces in Connecticut and Georgia. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.

Warning Signs For Families And Caregivers;

     While the indictment focuses on the alleged conduct of Murray and his co-conspirators, authorities note the case reflects a broader pattern commonly seen in elder-targeted fraud schemes. These often involve urgent requests, promises of large prizes, and pressure to send money quickly using difficult-to-trace payment methods.

     Law enforcement and consumer protection agencies advise families to be alert to red flags such as requests for upfront “fees” or “taxes” to claim a prize, instructions to send cash or money orders, unsolicited calls demanding secrecy or urgency, and official-looking letters that attempt to mimic government agencies or well-known companies.

     Victims or those who suspect fraud are encouraged to contact local law enforcement, notify financial institutions immediately, and report suspected scams through appropriate federal channels.

Editor’s Note: 

This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based on charging documents provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut on February 11, 2026. “The rules of the federal court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”