A federal judge in North Dakota has ordered that cash and jewelry seized from a Jamaican man accused of masterminding a large lottery scam in the U.S. be liquidated and the proceeds paid to victims.
The property was seized from Lavrick Willocks when he was arrested in Jamaica in November 2016.
The property includes the equivalent of nearly US$12,000 and jewelry of unknown worth.
Authorities say at least 90 mostly elderly Americans lost more than US$5.7 million to the scam operated out of a mansion in Kingston, where Willocks lived with his mother.
Court documents list victims in North Dakota, South Dakota, South Carolina and Texas, with scam-related activity also reported in New York, New Hampshire, California and Florida.
Willocks pleaded guilty a year ago to conspiracy in a deal with prosecutors and awaits sentencing.
He faces up to 40 years in prison, but it is expected that prosecutors will recommend about 10 years because he cooperated.
Will the mansion also be sold as restitution? What became of his mother, was she also arrested?
exactly. what about the houses and businesses?