Jamaican man sentenced in Arizona federal court for sweepstakes scam that targeted elderly victims

Federal case details a lottery-style fraud that took tens of thousands — and one loss exceeding $480,000

A 27-year-old Jamaican national, Deeno Roberto Jackson, has been sentenced in federal court in Arizona for his role in a sweepstakes-style fraud scheme that targeted older victims, including residents in the Phoenix area. Court records show Jackson received a 27-month prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

The sentencing took place on Jan. 28, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez in Tucson. Prosecutors said the scheme relied on false claims that victims had won a prize and needed to pay upfront “fees” or “taxes” to receive winnings — a hallmark of lottery and sweepstakes fraud schemes.

How the scheme operated

Investigators said co-conspirators used materially false representations to create the impression that targeted individuals had won a prize. Victims were then instructed to send money to claim the supposed winnings. Prosecutors also alleged that members of the conspiracy impersonated federal government representatives as part of the effort to pressure victims into paying.

Victims were directed to buy gift cards and to deposit money into bank accounts controlled by Jackson and others. Prosecutors said one Arizona victim lost more than $480,000 through the scheme.

• Charge resolved by guilty plea: conspiracy to commit wire fraud
• Sentence: 27 months in prison, plus three years of supervised release
• Restitution ordered: $74,530 to various victims

Restitution and the scale of victim losses

In addition to the prison term, the court ordered Jackson to pay restitution totaling $74,530 to multiple victims. Prosecutors highlighted that the overall impact of the fraud extended beyond a single victim, while also identifying one particularly severe loss exceeding $480,000 in Arizona.

Legitimate lotteries do not require winners to pay fees or taxes before receiving proceeds; payments are typically handled after winnings are awarded.

Investigation and broader enforcement context

The investigation was handled by federal law enforcement in southern Arizona, and the prosecution proceeded in the federal court system. The case is part of a continuing focus on elder-directed financial fraud, which commonly includes sweepstakes, tech-support, health-care-related, and government-imposter variations that use urgency and impersonation to obtain money.

Authorities have encouraged victims and families to report suspected fraud quickly, noting that consistent reporting can help identify patterns, interrupt ongoing schemes, and prevent additional losses.