Jamaican pleads guilty in US$9 million sweepstakes fraud targeting elderly Americans

A Jamaican man has pleaded guilty in the United States for his involvement in a sophisticated international fraud ring. Jordan Trought, 30, admitted his role as a high-ranking member of the organization that targeted over 200 elderly Americans, stealing more than $9 million through a decade-long sweepstakes fraud scheme.

Prosecutors announced that Trought entered his guilty plea on June 1 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud. The scheme operated for ten years, preying on vulnerable individuals through deceptive sweepstakes tactics. The significant sum stolen underscores the scale of the operation.

Trought was initially arrested in Jamaica in August 2025. He was subsequently extradited to the United States to face the charges. His guilty plea represents a major step in the legal proceedings against the individuals involved in the fraud ring, potentially leading to further arrests or convictions.