• Guy Mayo,
• Elad Mayo,
• Asi Almakias,
• Lior Orgad,
• David Yamin, and
• Mor Galanti.

According to the allegations, the defendants purchased from list brokers the names and contact information of U.S. residents who subscribed to sweepstakes lotteries. Using those lists, the defendants identified their victims and solicited information about their finances by falsely telling them that they had won a substantial cash prize. In furtherance of the fraud, the defendants then indicated that upon receipt of payment for various fees and taxes, the prize winnings would be released.

As is likely known to many Internet users, this is a well-worn scam - and there is no prize money. According to federal prosecutors, the six defendants realized approximately $2 million in fraudulent proceeds from their victims.

Brought to Justice

In September 2008, the six defendants were arrested in Israel and subsequently extradited to the United States in early November 2010. On June 30, 2011, they were sentenced in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Manhattan to:

• an Order of forfeiture of approximately $1.9 million,
• a special assessment of $100 on each defendant,
• 2 years of supervised release, and
• incarceration of:
  • 108 Months (Guy Mayo);
  • 78 Months (Elad Mayo);
  • 72 Months (Asi Almakias);
  • 60 Months (Lior Orgad);
  • 37 Months (Mor Galanti); and
  • 33 Months (David Yamin).

A seventh Defendant, Yaniv Kalbers, is awaiting sentencing.