Four suspects from Buford are awaiting sentencing after they entered guilty pleas to running a phony sweepstakes scam that targeted elderly residents.
The four suspects, along with a fifth co-defendant from Costa Rica, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud and money laundering for calling victims — most of them elderly, according to U.S. Attorney BJay Pak — and telling them they had won a sweepstakes or lottery jackpot, instructing them to pay a few expenses, like taxes and fees, before claiming their prizes.
Daniel Sibaja, 28, Elpelice Figuero Rosales, 62, Silvia Sanchez Valverde, 47, and Priscillia Sibaja, 21, all from Buford, are all scheduled to be sentenced in November, along with Rodolfo Orozco Aguilar, 44, of Costa Rica.
“These defendants stole the life savings of dozens of elderly victims and received more than $3.5 million,” said Pak in a statement.
“These schemes unfortunately are all too common and citizens should be wary of contests that require upfront payments to receive a prize.”
The scammers would then send the money, via personal or cashier's checks, to their own rented mailboxes. They deposited the money into their personal bank accounts, then sent the money to Costa Rican bank accounts.
The crimes happened between February 2016 and September 2017, and included "dozens" of victims.
“Scammers – whether U.S.-based or abroad — who mistakenly believe they can avoid accountability for their criminal actions by transferring ill-gotten proceeds outside the country should know they are not immune from federal prosecution,” said Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Nick S. Annan.
“This case shows an international border is no defense for those who defraud senior citizens, and HSI is committed to using its unique cross-border authority to investigate and hold accountable persons who commit such crimes.”
