Mail Fraudster receives 51-month imprisonment sentence, as ruled by a judge in Las Vegas.
Multi-Year Mail Fraud Scheme in Las Vegas Targeting Elderly Victims Unveiled
A multi-year mail fraud scheme that targeted elderly residents in Las Vegas has come to light, with several convicted defendants beyond Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia being implicated in the scam.
According to the detention affidavit in the USA v. Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia et al case, co-defendants Joel Jose Cruz Rodriguez (also known as “Paflow”) and Edward Jose served as managers in Dominican Republic call centers that coordinated the scams. Polanco Batista, another individual associated with related fraud activity, was arrested twice for offenses involving elderly victims, though some charges against him were pending or dismissed.
The specific sentences for these co-defendants, apart from Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, are not detailed in the available documents. However, it is known that Mario Castro was sentenced to 20 years, Miguel Castro to 19 years and six months, and Jose Luis Mendez to 14 years. Edgar Del Rio, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison on November 7, 2023.
Mario Castro, Miguel Castro, and Jose Luis Mendez were convicted following a jury trial and sentenced earlier this year. Edgar Del Rio was investigated after the court order in 2018.
The scheme, which operated between the years 2010 and 2018, involved several entities, including Imperial Award Services, Assets Unlimited, Pacific Disbursement Reporting, Special Money Managers, Price Awards, and Money Securities. Edgar Del Rio ran a printing and mailing operation involved in a fraudulent mass-mailing scheme.
The fraudulent scheme led Del Rio and others to make millions of dollars, collectively defrauding victims of more than $10M. The scheme targeted thousands of elderly victims, with the victims being falsely informed they could receive a substantial prize for a payment of $20 or $25.
In 2018, the Justice Department obtained a court order to shut down the scheme. Patti Kern, Andrea Burrow, and Sean O'Connor previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in the case. The defendants attempted to hide their activities by changing company names and using straw owners.
US Attorney Jason M. Frierson made a statement about the sentencing of Edgar Del Rio. The US Postal Inspection Service's Criminal Investigations Group Inspector-in-Charge, Eric Shen, issued a warning to the public, urging vigilance against such fraudulent activities.
- The Las Vegas mail fraud scheme, which spanned from 2010 to 2018, was not only orchestrated by Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, but also involved several other individuals such as Joel Jose Cruz Rodriguez, Edward Jose, Polanco Batista, and Edgar Del Rio.
- Last year, Mario Castro and Miguel Castro were sentenced to 20 years and 19 years and six months respectively, while Jose Luis Mendez received a 14-year sentence, all for their roles in the Las Vegas casino-and-gambling related fraud.
- Edgar Del Rio, who ran a printing and mailing operation, was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison in November 2023.
- The Las Vegas casino-culture history was marred by this scheme as it collectively defrauded victims of over $10M, through a mass-mailing scheme that targeted thousands of elderly individuals with promises of substantial prizes for a fee.
- In an effort to combat such crimes, the US Attorney's Office and the US Postal Inspection Service have warned the public to be vigilant against fraudulent activities, especially those related to casino-games and prize schemes in Las Vegas.
