Thu, Oct 5th, 2023 - 9:43am
September 18, 2018 - 2:53pm | By Chris Larson
Melinda Bulgin, of Providence, Rhode Island, was found guilty on September 14, 2018, by a federal jury on all 15 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud or Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, Mail Fraud, and Conspiracy to Commit International Money Laundering, in connection with her participation in a transnational criminal advance fee telemarketing (“lottery”) fraud.
The FBI led the investigation of Bulgin and others that resulted in the extradition of 14 Jamaican nationals and successful prosecution of 31 defendants in North Dakota. The FBI, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, and a host of state and local authorities throughout the United States have assisted in the investigation, along with the Jamaican Constabulary Force (JCF), Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), Jamaican Operations Linked to Telemarketing (JOLT) Task Force, and other U.S. and international authorities.
Bulgin was found guilty of conspiring with Sanjay Williams and others. A federal jury in North Dakota found Williams guilty of similar charges in 2015. Williams was sentenced to serve 20 years imprisonment following his conviction.
“Melinda Bulgin and her coconspirators deliberately targeted senior citizens as part of a lottery fraud scheme that affected dozens of victims, some of whom lost their life savings, life insurance, and even their homes,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “The conviction in this case is the result of the hard work and determination of our domestic and foreign law enforcement partners, along with the prosecutors in the District of North Dakota and Criminal Division—and it demonstrate our firm commitment to stopping those who exploit senior citizens and other vulnerable populations.”
Sentencing for Bulgin has been set for December 17, 2018.
