Federal judge sentences man to 20 years in Jamaican lottery scam that cost victims million

BISMARCK, N.D. _ A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a Jamaican lottery scam that authorities say cost victims around the country millions of dollars.

A jury in May convicted 26-year-old Sanjay Williams, of Montego Bay, Jamaica, of conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland sentenced Williams on Tuesday in Bismarck.

Prosecutors say the case came to light four years ago when an elderly North Dakota woman received a call from a man who told her she had won $19 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.

Prosecutors say subsequent investigations identified more than 70 people who were scammed out of more than $5 million.

The Associated Press