Crime & Safety

Police Arrest Seven in Alleged Elderly Lottery Scheme

The woman are accused of stealing money through the scheme to send to Costa Rica.

 

Seven women were arrested in connection to a lottery scam ring, Stamford Police announced Monday afternoon.  

The arrests came as part of an investigation from the Department's Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Property Crime Unit. Authorities believe the ring was based in Fairfield County and targeted victims in their 80s and 90s across the U.S. to scam them out of money for transfer back to Costa Rica.

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Authorities said, in most instances, victims were contacted and informed of winning a prize, but told they would have to pay taxes or fees up front in order to claim the prize. Victims were instructed to send money using methods like U.S. Postal Service money orders or Western Union.

If a victim sent money, they would be informed additional amounts were needed due to issues that arose. This would continue until the victim realized what was happening or they ran out of funds.

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According to authorities involved in the ongoing investigation, 31 victims have been identified with losses totaling more than $165,000 to date.

As a result of the work of Investigators Michael Stempien and John Russell a total of nine arrest warrants have been issued and will be prosecuted by the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, Statewide Prosecution Bureau.

One suspect is believed to be the ring leader of this Scam resides in Costa
Rica and another is in Virginia. Currently, extraditable warrants ave been obtained for these two persons.

Arrested to date, with bonds:

  • Tiffany Midgette, 32, of 47 Congress St. Held on $150,000
  • Kinika Harvey, 28, of 129 Marion St. in Bridgeport. Held on $150,000
  • Stephanie Handy, 35, of 220 Ludlow St. Held on $125,000


Midgette, Harvey and Handy were each charged with:

  • Racketeering 53-395(b)
  • Racketeering 53-395(c)
  • Money Laundering 3rd Degree 53a-278(a)
  • Larceny 1st 53a-122
  • Larceny 2nd 53a-123(a)(2)
  • Conspiracy @ Larceny 1st, 53a-48/ 53a-122(a)(2)
  • Conspiracy @ Larceny 2nd 53a-48/53a-123(a)(2)
  • Criminal Attempt @ Larceny 2nd 53a-49/ 53a-123

Additionally arrested were:

  • Kimberly Midgette, 31, of 50 Courtland Ave. Held on $20,000
  • Rannisha Fullmore, 27 of 34 Clarement St. Held on $20,000
  • Keneeta Washington, 30,  of 41 Ursula Pl. Held on $75,000
  • Aisha Jones, 27, of 98 Horton St. Held on $75,000

 

Each of the four faces the following charges:

  • Larceny 1st 53a-122
  • Larceny 2nd 53a-123(a)(2)
  • Money Laundering 3rd Degree 53a-278(a)
  • Conspiracy @ Larceny 1st, 53a-48/ 53a-122(a)(2)
  • Conspiracy @ Larceny 2nd 53a-48/53a-123(a)(2)


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