Sioux Empire Today

A Jamaican national was extradited to the United States and made his initial appearance today in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, following his role in a long-running scheme to defraud a California woman.

Dwayne Anderson, 35, of Hannover, Jamaica, will face federal wire fraud charges. He was arrested pursuant to the U.S. request for extradition on July 11 by Jamaican authorities. He has remained in custody in Jamaica since that time.

According to the indictment, from as early as 2010 until September 2017, Anderson participated in a scheme to defraud an American woman. Using phony names, he contacted the victim by telephone, text message, and email and falsely informed her that she had won millions of dollars in a sweepstakes. Anderson persuaded the victim, who believed the defendant’s false representations, to send money to pay various fees and taxes associated with the sweepstakes. He instructed the victim on how and to whom to send these payments. Anderson repeatedly contacted the victim with additional requests for money and told her that her winnings would be forthcoming if she paid the requested amounts.

Anderson induced the victim to travel to Jamaica in September 2017 by falsely informing her that she would be able to collect her prize winnings. He told her to bring $1,600 in cash with her to Jamaica and instructed her to give the money to a driver who met her at the airport. The victim paid these purported fees but never received any of her supposed winnings.

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch is committed to bringing transnational criminals who defraud Americans to justice wherever they are located,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Ensuring that those who perpetrate these types of fraud schemes are held accountable is a priority of the department, and I thank the government of Jamaica for its assistance extraditing the defendant.”

“Making a living by exploiting Americans' trust and draining their hard-earned savings is despicable,” said U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell for the District of South Dakota. “The District of South Dakota will pursue and prosecute anyone engaging in criminal acts that harm Americans.”

“Collaboration between international law enforcement partners is critical,” said Inspector Eric Shen of USPIS Criminal Investigations Group. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting Americans from transnational crime and appreciates our partners' assistance in bringing Anderson to justice.”

Anderson faces eight counts of wire fraud filed in February 2023 at U.S. District Court for South Dakota; these were unsealed upon his extradition on Aug. 22. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years per count.

USPIS investigated this case with significant assistance from Jamaica Constabulary Force and coordination through Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

Trial Attorneys Brandon Robers and Edward Emokpae from Civil Division's Consumer Protection Branch along with Assistant U.S Attorney Ann Hoffman prosecuted this case.

The Justice Department continues investigating similar cases involving attempts against U.S residents' finances.

If you or someone you know aged 60 or older has experienced financial fraud contact National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This hotline offers personalized support including reporting guidance through Office for Victims Crime services open Monday-Friday from 10:00 am -6:00 pm ET available English Spanish other languages also supported

More information about department efforts helping American seniors visit Elder Justice Initiative webpage www.justice.gov/elderjustice For more details about Consumer Protection Branch enforcement visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch Complaints can be filed FTC www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or call877FTC HELP Various resources elder fraud victimization provided through Office Victims Crime www.ovc.gov

An indictment is merely an allegation All defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt court law