SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass.- Federal authorities have charged six individuals in connection with a sweepstakes fraud scheme targeting elderly victims nationwide, a case linked in part to a Southborough investigation involving an 81-year-old woman who lost approximately $85,000.
The charges were announced on June 25, 2026, by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut following a multi-year investigation into what prosecutors describe as a “Publishers Clearing House” scam.
According to federal prosecutors, the scheme began around 2022. Suspects allegedly used purchased lists of elderly individuals, contacted victims claiming they had won sweepstakes prizes, and demanded upfront payments for fees or taxes. Victims were instructed to send funds through checks, cash, and money orders. In some cases, money was routed between victims under a so-called “sponsor program” designed to circulate funds within the scheme.
Prosecutors also allege participants collected personal and financial information, including driver’s licenses and banking details, and in some cases diverted Social Security benefits into accounts they controlled.
A federal grand jury in New Haven, CT, returned the indictment on June 2, 2026, charging each defendant with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, multiple counts of mail and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
The defendants are Andre-Jon Gayle, 33, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Aaliyah Mayne, 25, of Dania, Florida; Onaje Chevers, 29, of Dania, Florida; Matthew Hutchinson, 24, of Williamsburg, Virginia; Courtney Reynolds, 31, of Miami, Florida; and Roshaun Thompson, 24, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Federal officials said Gayle, Mayne, Chevers, and Reynolds are citizens of Jamaica, while Thompson is a U.S. citizen.
Mayne, Chevers, and Reynolds were arrested on June 4, 2026; Thompson on June 5; Hutchinson on June 9; and Gayle on June 10. Four defendants later appeared in federal court in Bridgeport, pleaded not guilty, and were released on $250,000 bonds. Mayne and Chevers remain in federal custody.
Southborough police said the local case began in March 2025, when an 81-year-old woman reported being defrauded by individuals posing as sweepstakes representatives. She sent checks and personal financial information and lost about $85,000.
Detective Anthony Vega led the Southborough investigation, working with federal partners including the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to trace transactions and support the broader case.
Officials said the Southborough investigation helped connect the fraud to a larger multi-state operation targeting elderly victims.
Authorities are urging residents to be cautious of sweepstakes scams. Officials emphasized that legitimate prizes never require upfront payments or taxes, and such demands are indicators of fraud.
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