LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A South Los Angeles man agreed today to plead guilty
to federal fraud charges for operating a lottery scam that targeted senior
citizens with promises of cash prizes and cars -- as long as they paid taxes
and fees.
Carl Dean Bullock, 65, is scheduled to plead guilty to mail and wire
fraud charges on Monday before U.S. District Judge George H. Wu, who will set a
sentencing date.
As part of his plea deal, Bullock will pay at least $45,700 in
restitution to his victims, court papers show.
Bullock was indicted last June by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles on
13 counts of mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud and four counts of
aggravated identity theft.
Bullock promised mostly elderly victims that they had won large lottery
or sweepstakes prizes and, in order to obtain their ``winnings,'' would need to
send money to pay for taxes, fees and other expenses, according to the U.S.
Attorney's Office.
Hoping to collect the winnings, victims sent money via wire transfer,
money orders and cash, prosecutors said.
Bullock received at least some of the fraudulently obtained money, and
then sent a portion of it to his co-schemers, most of whom were in Jamaica, the
indictment alleges.
The investigation uncovered 25 victims -- one of whom was 88 years old --
who sent nearly $200,000 to obtain their non-existent prizes, according to
court papers.
``Foreign lottery and sweepstakes fraud cost Americans millions (of
dollars) every year,'' Los Angeles Postal Inspector in Charge Robert Wemyss
said previously. ``When one family member is harmed, the impact can be felt by
all. Losses can be monumental, and entire fortunes, inheritances and retirement
security can be wiped out.''
The fraud charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal
prison, prosecutors noted.