A cruel lottery scam that destroyed a retired woman’s life savings has ended with a prison sentence after a man convinced her she had won millions of dollars—only to steal more than $600,000 and even her home.
Man Sentenced for $600,000 Lottery Scam Targeting Elderly Woman
A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to prison after carrying out a years-long lottery scam that targeted a 73-year-old retired woman in southwest Washington.
Roshard Andrew Carty was sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud connected to the scam.
Federal prosecutors said Carty, a Jamaican citizen, manipulated the elderly victim into believing she had won a massive lottery prize worth $22 million.
Instead of receiving millions, the woman lost her life savings, her retirement security, and eventually her home.
Scam Began With Fake Lottery Prize
According to prosecutors, the scam started in 2020 when Carty contacted the woman while pretending to work for Publishers Clearing House.
He falsely claimed she had won:
- $22 million in prize money
- A brand-new car
- Additional bonus rewards
However, he told her she first needed to pay taxes, processing charges, and delivery fees before she could collect the winnings.
Small Payments Turned Into Massive Financial Loss
Authorities said Carty initially asked for small payments, making the requests seem believable.
Over time, the demands became larger and more aggressive.
Prosecutors revealed that between August 2020 and February 2024, the woman sent more than $600,000.
She reportedly mailed cash to couriers across the United States, who then forwarded the money to Carty in Jamaica.
Victim Was Forced to Borrow Against Her Home
As the scam continued, Carty allegedly convinced the retiree to borrow money against her property.
Eventually, she was persuaded to sell her home to cover additional fake fees connected to the supposed lottery prize.
Despite sacrificing everything, she never received any prize money.
The FBI confirmed that the woman ultimately lost her home and her retirement savings.
Scammer Used Harassment and Intimidation
Federal investigators said Carty contacted the victim thousands of times using:
- Multiple phone numbers
- Text messaging platforms
- Various online communication methods
When the woman tried to stop communicating, prosecutors said Carty became even more aggressive.
Authorities revealed he allegedly:
- Sent tow trucks to her home
- Ordered pizza deliveries to her address
- Contacted her landlord requesting welfare checks
Officials say these actions were designed to pressure and intimidate the victim into continuing contact.
International Arrest and Extradition
Carty was indicted in November 2024.
He was arrested in Jamaica in August 2025 before being extradited to the United States.
In February 2026, he pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges.
Judge Condemns Years of Manipulation
During sentencing, the federal judge noted that even when the victim showed hesitation and attempted to resist, Carty continued contacting her through different methods.
Federal prosecutors described his behavior as relentless and cruel.
Investigators also discovered at least one additional victim and warned that Carty could potentially target others after his release.
This heartbreaking case is a powerful reminder that scammers often target older adults by using trust, fear, and false promises of wealth. What began as a dream of winning millions turned into financial devastation for one retired woman who lost everything she had worked for. Authorities continue urging people, especially senior citizens, to verify prize notifications and never send money to claim winnings that were never real.
