Five Jamaican Nationals and One American Citizen Arrested in Alleged Multimillion-Dollar Publishers Clearing House Scheme

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Federal prosecutors have accused five Jamaican nationals and one U.S. citizen of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar Publishers Clearing House fraud operation that allegedly targeted elderly Americans across the country. Court documents allege victims were persuaded to surrender money, financial information, and personal records through false promises of sweepstakes winnings.

Andre-Jon Gayle, Aaliyah Mayne, Onaje Chevers, Matthew Hutchinson, Courtney Reynolds, and Roshaun Thompson are named in the indictment. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut, investigators allege the group purchased lists of older Americans before falsely claiming they had won Publishers Clearing House jackpots that required upfront taxes or processing payments before any prize could be collected.

Victims were allegedly instructed to mail cash, checks, and money orders to members of the racket or to other victims participating in what organizers described as a "sponsor program." Prosecutors say the arrangement helped conceal the movement of money while convincing participants they were helping fellow prize winners.

Another element of the alleged scheme involved victims surrendering driver's licenses, banking information, credit card details, and other identifying records that prosecutors say were later used for unauthorized purchases. Social Security benefits were allegedly redirected into accounts controlled by conspirators.

New Haven grand jurors returned the indictment on June 2, charging each defendant with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, five counts of mail fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Four defendants have pleaded not guilty and were released on $250,000 bonds, while Aaliyah Mayne and Onaje Chevers remain detained.

U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan described the alleged operation as "an organized sweepstakes scam that ruthlessly preyed upon the vulnerability of our elderly citizens to defraud them out of millions of dollars." He also reminded consumers that legitimate sweepstakes winners are never required to pay fees or taxes before receiving a prize, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.