A woman from Missouri has been accused of playing a major role in a nationwide lottery mail fraud scheme that cost victims over $2 million.
Federal prosecutors have charged 79-year-old Sharon Dolisi of St. James with felony mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and wire fraud.
Dolisi was arrested on October 8 during an arrest warrant operation involving the FBI, postal inspection service and housing development.
According to investigators, Dolisi helped run a lottery fraud scheme that tricked victims across the nation to believe they had won the Mega Millions lottery and the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes.
Victims were told that they would receive their “winnings” after they prepaid thousands of dollars in taxes and fees through the U.S. Postal Service and other delivery services.
Officials say that Dolisi stole $2.1 million through the scheme, keeping some for herself but sending the rest to her co-conspirators in Jamaica.
She has been charged and will be prosecuted through the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Missouri.
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