A Jamaican man has pleaded guilty in a federal fraud case involving a romance and lottery scam that targeted an elderly Arizona woman and stole nearly half a million dollars over several years. Federal prosecutors announced that 40-year-old Sherwayne Benjamin Bellinfantie, also known as “Ice Man,” admitted his role in the scheme after being extradited to the United States from Jamaica.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, Bellinfantie pleaded guilty on May 20, 2026, to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Prosecutors said he participated in a long-running scam that specifically targeted an 85-year-old Arizona resident between December 2015 and January 2019.
Federal officials explained that Bellinfantie and his co-conspirators manipulated the victim through a combination of romance fraud and fake lottery winnings. Prosecutors said the scammers convinced the woman that she was involved in a romantic relationship with one of the conspirators. As part of the deception, the victim reportedly received flowers and love messages intended to strengthen the emotional manipulation.
Investigators said the scammers also falsely told the woman that she had won both a lottery prize and a new vehicle. The victim was then instructed that she needed to pay various taxes, fees, and processing costs before she could claim the supposed winnings.
According to prosecutors, the woman was directed to send money to locations throughout the United States and transfer funds to individuals acting as money runners. Bellinfantie admitted in court documents that he personally received portions of the stolen funds generated through the scam.
Federal officials said the victim ultimately lost approximately $469,302 as a result of the scheme. As part of his plea agreement, Bellinfantie agreed to pay restitution for the money stolen from the victim.
Bellinfantie was originally indicted in March 2022. After international coordination between U.S. and Jamaican authorities, he was extradited to the United States on June 12, 2025, to face prosecution in Arizona federal court.
The Justice Department said the FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson Office handled the investigation. Officials also credited the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for helping secure Bellinfantie’s arrest and extradition from Jamaica.
Bellinfantie’s sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for August 18, 2026. He could face significant prison time under federal sentencing guidelines because of the amount of money involved and the elderly age of the victim.
Romance scams remain one of the fastest-growing fraud schemes targeting older Americans. Federal investigators say scammers often build emotional relationships online or over the phone before convincing victims to send money for fake emergencies, lottery winnings, travel expenses, investments, or fabricated financial problems.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that elderly individuals are especially vulnerable to these scams because criminals frequently exploit loneliness, trust, and emotional attachment to manipulate victims into sending money over extended periods of time.
The Arizona case is one of several international fraud prosecutions pursued recently by federal investigators targeting overseas criminal organizations involved in romance scams, lottery scams, and elder fraud operations. The Department of Justice has increasingly worked with foreign governments to extradite suspects accused of targeting elderly Americans through online and telephone schemes.
Federal officials continue encouraging the public to be cautious when communicating with unknown individuals online, especially if requests for money, gift cards, bank transfers, or personal financial information are involved. Investigators also advise families to regularly check in with elderly relatives about suspicious financial activity or online relationships that may involve fraud.
Source: KTAR
