Florida man gets hefty prison sentence for scamming elderly people, claiming they had won big lottery cash awards
Florida – A man from South Florida has been sentenced to almost four years in federal prison for organizing a fraudulent lottery scam in what appears to be a significant legal conclusion to a scheme that preyed on elderly citizens across the nation. Akiel Doman, 34, of North Miami Beach, was also ordered to pay restitution amounting to $234,995 to the victims of his fraudulent activities.
According to the Department of Justice, Doman entered a guilty plea to charges involving conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and criminal contempt. His admission of guilt came in October 2024, following an extensive investigation led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Miami Division.
Doman, together with friends, planned a strategy to deceive victims into thinking they had won big cash awards and luxury cars in a lottery from May 2020 through July 2022. Under the cover of lottery authorities, they made calls to elderly people telling them of their supposed winnings. But victims were told to pay taxes or upfront fees to claim these nonexistent prizes—a trademark of lottery fraud.
The mechanics of the fraud were systematic and manipulative. Convinced by the false promises, victims were given directions to transfer money to Doman’s bank accounts. Direct deposits were one of the several ways these transactions were conducted; the fraudsters claimed these were required for tax or fee payment to release the winnings.
Doman’s past engagement in related fraudulent activities added even more complexity to this case. In 2019, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida had issued a consent decree prohibiting him from engaging in any lottery-related fraud. Doman’s disregard of this court order resulted in additional charges of criminal contempt.
Read also: Broward County announces government office closures for Presidents’ Day on February 17
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne, highlighting the dedication of federal law enforcement to protecting individuals, especially elderly people, from such fraudulent schemes, announced the sentencing for the Southern District of Florida. Steven L. Hodges, acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, emphasized the dedication of his staff in bringing Doman to justice.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertha R. Mitrani, who prosecuted the case, remarked on the importance of vigilance among seniors and their families regarding such scams. She pointed out that this example recalls of the extent to which criminals would go to take advantage of innocent people.
For those seeking more information or wishing to verify the legitimacy of unexpected prize notifications, resources and guidelines are available through the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and consumer protection agencies. Accessible online, the case against Doman, registered under case number 24-cr- 60133, can be further investigated through the court records and documents of the Southern District of Florida.
Read also: Fort Lauderdale airport’s updated ride-share zones aim to streamline arrivals process
This sentence not only represents the end for the victims engaged but also supports the continuous efforts to fight financial crimes aiming at the elderly.
