Defendant Sentenced to Prison for Laundering Funds from Lottery Fraud Scheme Targeting the Elderly

     TUCSON, Ariz. – On February 6, 2020, U.S. District Judge James A. Soto sentenced defendant Morgan Alek Forrester to 21 months in prison. As part of his sentence, Forrester was also ordered to pay $176,000 in restitution. Forrester is one of four codefendants who have been charged in this conspiracy. Forrester previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.  

    Forrester participated in scheme where Jamaican-based scammers called elderly U.S. victims and falsely stated they had won a lottery. In order to receive their winnings, the elderly victims were told they must first submit money for taxes and fees. Forrester’s role in this conspiracy was to help launder the fraudulent proceeds to Jamaica.

     The U.S. Attorney’s Office encourages the public to be wary of similar scams and to verify with law enforcement and family members before sending money after a phone solicitation, to include lottery or other computer related scams. 

     The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Homeland Security.  The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson.