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Unveiling the Web of Deception: Conviction of International Scammer Reveals the Fight Against Financial Fraud

Financial fraud, especially those targeting the elderly, is a pervasive issue that requires constant vigilance and swift action from authorities. Despite advancements in technology and awareness campaigns, scammers continue to find new ways to exploit unsuspecting individuals, leaving devastating financial and emotional consequences in their wake. As society grapples with evolving forms of deception, law enforcement agencies remain at the forefront, employing investigative techniques and collaboration to bring perpetrators to justice

The former Florida man who spent time as an international fugitive due to his involvement in sweepstakes scam targeting elderly men and women, has been found guilty of theft and conspiracy charges in Common Pleas Court. A jury of eight men and four women deliberated about 21/2 hours on Wednesday before returning with its verdict against Jack Mayer, who the prosecution had described as a “money launderer” in the scheme. An East Caln man lost more than $260,000, and others from Indiana to Arizona lost thousands more. Mayer, 43, was found guilty of six counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, seven counts of theft by deception, six counts of receiving stolen property, two counts of operating a corrupt organization and related counts of conspiracy and criminal use of a communications facility. He faces a maximum sentence on the felony counts of more than 220 years in prison, although his actual sentence will likely be far less, given state sentencing guidelines. Judge Phyllis Streitel, who presided over the three day trial, ordered a pre-sentencing investigation be completed before she sentences Mayer.

The defendant did not testify at the trial. He also faces extradition to England to begin serving a sentence for a similar conviction there. Assistant District Attorney Alexander Gosfield, who led the prosecution, expressed gratitude for the verdict. “We are pleased the jury was able to see through the web of deception woven by the defendant and his co-conspirators and are grateful for their hard work in this case,” he said on Thursday. “This result proves that no matter how devious the criminal, a diligent and dedicated law enforcement officer can see that justice is done.” First Assistant Public Defender Nathan Schenker, who represented Mayer, declined comment on the verdict. According to police records, in 2010 a caller using a false name contacted the victim by telephone and told him that he was the winner of a $3.5 million lottery prize. Police said the caller instructed the victim to send cashier’s checks to a bank account with “Private and Corporate Securities” to cover taxes and fees so the sweepstakes winnings could be released. According to a criminal complaint filed by investigators, the caller provided the victim with names and contact information of supposed representatives of the IRS and Federal Trade Commission and claimed to work for a sweepstakes company called Town & Country Inc., based in New York City. None of the names were real, and there is no sweepstakes company with that name. The victim, who was 86 years old at the time of the incident, sent a total of $262,035 to the account, but reported the activity to the Downingtown Police Department after the caller requested an additional $224,000.

The man testified at the trial in a videotaped interview that was used because he suffers from medical problems. Evidence presented at the trial by Gosfield included a series of stipulations, read by Downingtown Detective Paul Trautmann, that laid out how the money was deposited into a Citibank account that Mayer controlled in June and July 2010. Funds that mirrored the checks that the East Caln man sent to the address were shown coming into the account in July 2010, and later being dispersed. When he was interviewed by FBI agents in January, Mayer told them that he had agreed to accept the funds into his account in exchange for a 1 percent or 2 percent commission. “It’s like a bank,” he told the agents. “It’s (a) normal commission.” In a portion of the interview with the FBI, however, Mayer acknowledged knowing that the man he dispersed the funds to, identified as Luis Gasparini, was dishonest, and that he had worked with him previously in dubious activities. In his defense of Mayer, Schenker asked the jury to consider whether he would have used his own name to open the account if he were part of the complex scheme, unlike the caller who notified the victim of the sweepstakes prize and the other false identities given. He suggested that Mayer was an unwitting dupe of others involved in the scam.

In his response during closings, Gosfield pointed out that the scheme was designed to have multiple “fall guys,” so that all those involved could deny knowledge if they were ever caught. The amount of money flowing through Mayer’s account – almost a half million dollars – in such a short time span, combined with his admission to agents that he was sending the money to someone he knew was involved in illegal business dealings, made it impossible that Mayer could have been in the dark about this scheme. In his statement after the verdict, Gosfield paid tribute to Trautmann’s work to bring charges in the case. Once the victim reported the incident, Trautmann initiated an investigation and was able to freeze Mayer’s accounts and discovered multiple other elderly victims across the United States. Authorities said the other victims, included a 91-year-old man from North Carolina and an 88-year-old man from Texas, also fell prey to the same scheme. Police alleged that Mayer left his Florida home and fled the country after his accounts were frozen and charges were filed. Officials said law enforcement reports indicated he surfaced in England, France and the Dominican Republic. After learning of Mayer’s whereabouts, Chester County law enforcement authorities contacted federal government officials stationed in the Dominican Republic and had him deported back to the United States in May 2013. “With little more than a telephone and the internet, Detective Trautmann exposed an international fraud scheme and brought down one of its principal players,” Gosfield said. “When criminals prey on the citizens of Chester County, they can run half a world away, but Chester County law enforcement will find them and bring them to justice.”

The case of Jack Mayer underscores the importance of proactive measures in identifying and thwarting fraudulent activities. While Mayer's conviction represents a significant milestone in holding criminals accountable, it also highlights the need for ongoing education and support for vulnerable populations. As communities unite against financial exploitation, initiatives aimed at raising awareness, enhancing safeguards, and strengthening legal frameworks become essential pillars in safeguarding individuals' financial well-being. By fostering a culture of vigilance and resilience, we can collectively combat financial fraud and protect the most vulnerable among us.