They say lightning doesn’t strike twice, but apparently, lottery scammers do. One North Miami Beach man is learning that the hard way, and this time, it’s costing him more than just a slap on the wrist.
A North Miami Beach man, Akiel Doman, has been sentenced to 44 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud. Doman had already been warned to stay away from prize promotion fraud, but instead of heeding the warning, he jumped right back in—costing his victims over $236,000, most of whom were elderly.
How It Works:
Lottery scams follow a simple yet deceptive playbook: scammers convince victims they’ve won a big prize, but to claim it, they must first pay fees or taxes. Doman and his co-conspirators would call unsuspecting individuals, posing as lottery or sweepstakes representatives, and inform them they had won a car or a large sum of money. The catch? Victims had to send payments for "fees" or "taxes" before receiving their winnings.
Victims were instructed on how to send their money, with one individual depositing $9,000 directly into Doman’s account and another sending payments via Zelle to Doman’s accomplice, who then forwarded the funds. Because the scam involved electronic transactions, it constituted wire fraud; mail transactions fell under mail fraud.
Who’s Targeted:
This scam primarily preyed on senior citizens, a demographic frequently targeted by fraudsters due to their trusting nature and, in some cases, limited tech-savviness. Doman had already faced legal action in 2018 and was barred from engaging in fraudulent prize promotions, but by 2020, he was back at it.
Why You Should Care:
Lottery scams like this can drain victims’ life savings, leading to devastating financial losses. Many seniors have lost thousands to similar schemes, leaving them in dire financial situations. Additionally, fraudsters continue to evolve their tactics, making these scams increasingly difficult to detect.
How to Protect Yourself:
- If you didn’t enter, you didn’t win. You can’t win a lottery or sweepstakes you never signed up for.
- No legitimate lottery requires upfront payment. You should never have to pay fees or taxes before claiming a prize.
- Verify independently. If you receive such a call or email, contact the lottery organization directly using an official website or phone number.
- Be wary of unsolicited calls and messages. Fraudsters use high-pressure tactics to rush victims into making payments.
- Consult family or financial advisors. If something seems too good to be true, get a second opinion before taking action.
Quick Tip:
Scammers often ask for payments via wire transfer, prepaid gift cards, or cryptocurrency—these are major red flags!
Stay safe, stay informed.
Definitions:
- Wire Fraud: A criminal act involving the use of telecommunications or the internet to deceive victims for financial gain.
- Mail Fraud: A scheme that uses the postal system to carry out fraudulent activities.
- Sweepstakes Scam: A fraud in which victims are told they've won a prize but must pay fees to claim it.
- Zelle Fraud: A scam where criminals use the Zelle payment platform to steal money from unsuspecting victims.
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