Four more suspects in the Jamaican lottery scam have either pleaded guilty or agreed to do so, leaving just five of the 15 defendants still scheduled for trial in the US in January.
According to the Associated Press, Dario Palmer, Alrick McLeod and Kazrae Gray pleaded guilty to conspiracy under deals with federal prosecutors last month. Kimberly Hudson signed a deal and is scheduled to plead guilty on November 20.
Authorities say all four are from Jamaica.
Prosecutors say this is believed to be the first large-scale Jamaican lottery scam prosecuted in the U.S.
Authorities allege the scam bilked at least 90 Americans out of more than US$5.7 million.
The case is being prosecuted in North Dakota, where authorities began investigating after a woman lost her life savings of more than $300,000 in 2011. The suspects are accused of calling victims about bogus lottery winnings, persuading them to send advance fees to receive the purported winnings, then keeping the money without paying out anything to the victims.
Two suspects remain fugitives. Thirteen others have been arrested and taken to the U.S. to face charges. Six of them have pleaded guilty in the last four months, including Jamaican Lavrick Willocks, the man accused of being the kingpin. A seventh is negotiating terms of a deal.
In return for the guilty pleas, the government is dropping fraud and money laundering counts. The government also will recommend restitution for victims. Sentencing dates have not yet been set.