A 25-year-old man has been convicted for his role in a Jamaican lottery scam that authorities say cost victims, including a World War II fighter pilot, millions of dollars.
Sanjay Williams, of Montego Bay, Jamaica, was found guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering on Thursday and faces up to 40 years in prison.
Investigators described Williams primarily as a "lead broker" who bought and sold "sucker lists" of potential victims.
He was the only one of 32 defendants to opt for trial; about a dozen defendants are awaiting extradition from Jamaica.
Prosecutors said Williams, who was arrested in North Carolina, was the first person from Jamaica convicted of selling the lead lists used in the scam.
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Prosecutors said the case came to light four years ago when Edna Schmeets, 86, of Harvey, North Dakota, received a call from a man who told her she had won $US19 million ($A23.83 million) and a new car, and needed only to pay taxes and fees. The process dragged on until the widow's savings were wiped out, a sum of about $US300,000.
Hochhalter told jurors that the subsequent investigation identified more than 70 people - mostly older and vulnerable citizens - who were scammed out of more than $US5.2 million.
About a dozen victims testified during the trial by video and in person.
The victims "came from all walks of life and from across the country" and ranged from a woman who owned three successful businesses to a World War II fighter pilot, Hochhalter said.
Cpl. Kevin Watson, a member of a Jamaican agency comparable to the FBI, estimated lottery scams are a $US30 million annual industry in Jamaica.
