BOSTON, Mass. — A New York man who ran a bogus lottery scam, in which elderly people were told they won millions but would have to pay taxes in advance to receive a payout, has been sentenced to more than four years in federal prison and ordered to repay more than $733,000.
Wilder Vladimir Merelan, 29, of West Hempsted, New York, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison by Judge Mark L. Wolf in U.S. District Court in Boston, according to the U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz's office. Wolf also ordered him to pay a total of $733,999 in restitution.
Merelan pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in a scheme that preyed on the elderly.
According to prosecutors, Merelan from 2012 through 2015 worked in conjunction with several Jamaican co-conspirators to target victims with a fraudulent lottery scheme.
During that time, they collected $830,000 from a total of 16 victims, who were between ages 69 and 91. One of the victims was a man from Massachusetts.
Merelan pretended to be a "sub agent" with the Internal Revenue Service. The people he contacted were told they had won a multimillion-dollar lottery prize, but before they would be able to collect it, they would have to pay the taxes up front.
People would send him money, and he would take a cut and send the remainder to his co-conspirators. Some of the funds were stopped by banks or intercepted by the U.S. Postal Service, but Merelan received $733,999 over that time.
According to the Massachusetts Lottery Commission, winners do not have to pay taxes in advance to receive a prize. Taxes are deducted from any prize over $600 at the payout. Twenty-five percent is automatically deducted and sent to the IRS, and 5 percent to the state of Massachusetts.
The case was investigated jointly by Ortiz's office and the Boston offices of the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
I only wish he would get probation under one condition: He repay all $733,999. Then if he cannot, off to prison he goes.
My late Dad was a victim of lottery scams so I feel their pain.
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Mr. BlueDog101,
I'm really, truly sorry for what's happened to your late Dad.
Those doggone scammers don't give a darn about anyone. In this time, in our world,
when things warrant special attention to the needs of others, here come these rats, not only ripping everyone off,
but seeking out every opportunity possible, to do so.
Every opportunity known to man to come up with, to take advantage of another human being.
There's not a darn thing to smile about anymore.
This is why I say that people have turned me off from people.
I have a cat, not very much unlike the one in my avatar above, but I often envy him, because he's an animal.
He doesn't need all the things us humans 'need'.
I AGREE with you, on the guy in the article, repay or do prison time.
Mr. Groppo
WHAT! Did I misread this article? The guy who raped those people out of their money should not serve jail time if he repays the victims? Is that what you're saying Bleudog?
"has been sentenced to more than four years in federal prison and ordered to repay more than $733,000" no probation.
I thank God for Judges like Judge Mark L. Wolf in U.S. District Court in Boston and U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz. This is where are taxes are being used to protect the innocent.
Merelan better use his time in prison to learn a productive life trade and occupation.
Every lottery winner must learn that there are con-men and con-women who want your winnings. Keep your gifts, loans, purchases on a business-like level. Control your greed and say "NO" often or hire someone who will say NO.
How the Ole people get Scammed i thought with age comes wisdom.
I am guessing that Lottery Post has plenty of "Ole" people.
When you age your faculties deteriorate. Your muscles weaken and your brain loses its' power and cognitive abilities.
Senior citizens develop Alzheimer's in stages. They have some good days and some bad days.
Well i sure hope they are not driving. The post said ( between ages 69 and 91 )
The judge must have gotten laid that morning because the sentence is way too short. Shame on you!
A lot of them are lonely and very trusting.
The creep should have got 4 years per victim.
You got that right...
Wilder Vladimir Merelan, 29, of West Hempsted, New York, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison by Judge Mark L. Wolf in U.S. District Court in Boston, according to the U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz's office. Wolf also ordered him to pay a total of $733,999 in restitution
According to the prior story...
Merelan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit tax and mail fraud.
The charge carries a maximum of 20 years in prison, plus 3 years of supervised release and a fine of at least $250,000.
Merelan is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 10.
Sounds like he got a really good deal. Sad part is, his Jamaican co-conspirators very likely already have someone to take his place.
I would say the chances of his victims seeing any of that money is ZERO.
The banks need to take precautions to protect seniors.
Back in 1991, I needed to borrow $500 and went with my dad (who was 67 at the time) to the bank to withdraw the money from his bank account.
When he presented the withdrawal slip to the teller, I remember her asking him if he had received a call asking him to pay money up front to win a prize or for any kind of investment opportunity.
That was 25 years ago! Why can't the banks do that now?
When a senior withdraws over a certain amount, they should have to ask those questions (or similar) to protect seniors! They worked hard all their lives to save for retirement.
No one has the right to take that away from them!