NEW YORK — A 30-year-old Jamaican national pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy charges for his role as a leader of an international sweepstakes fraud ring that stole more than $9 million from more than 200 elderly victims across the United States, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced.
Jordan Trought entered his plea to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Trought also agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture totaling $6,166,227.
“Jordan Trought admitted today that he helped lead an international fraud ring that stole millions of dollars from elderly victims across the United States through lies about sweepstakes winnings,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Trought and his co-conspirators allegedly exploited trust, age, and hope for profit, including by taking control of victims’ bank accounts and routing stolen money to Jamaica. Today’s plea reflects this Office’s commitment to protecting vulnerable victims, pursuing fraudsters across borders, and holding accountable those who steal from Americans.”
The fraud scheme ran from at least 2015 through at least 2025. Victims typically received unsolicited phone calls or texts from individuals using common aliases — such as “David Miller” — claiming the victim had won a life-changing sum of money and a luxury car from a well-known sweepstakes company. Callers told victims they needed to pay taxes or fees before receiving the prize, then demanded additional payments. Victims were instructed to send money by mailing checks, money orders, and cash, as well as by wire, Zelle, and Venmo transfers. The conspirators also seized control of some victims’ bank accounts to move funds. Stolen money was ultimately routed to associates and to an automobile business Trought operated in Jamaica.
Trought joined the fraud ring in or around March 2021 and rose to become one of its leaders. He is being held responsible for more than $6 million stolen from more than 100 victims between March 2021 and his arrest. Trought was arrested on August 28, 2025, in Jamaica and extradited to the United States.
The investigation was conducted by Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Internal Revenue Service — Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Jamaican authorities including the Jamaican Constabulary Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Levander, Margaret Vasu, and Ioannis Drivas are handling the prosecution.
Trought will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vincent Briccetti. A sentencing date has not yet been announced.