A Canadian national, Patrick Fraser, has been extradited to the United States and appeared in a Las Vegas federal court on June 18. The Department of Justice and U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced that Fraser, aged 44 from Alberta, Canada, faces charges of conspiracy and mail fraud related to fraudulent prize notice schemes.
Fraser was arrested by Canadian authorities on June 14, 2023, following a U.S. extradition request. He was surrendered to the United States this month. A detention hearing took place on June 23, where he was ordered detained pending trial.
The indictment alleges that Fraser conspired with others to operate fraud schemes by sending fraudulent prize notifications to individuals in the United States and other countries. These notifications falsely claimed that recipients had won large cash prizes, typically over $1 million, contingent upon payment of a small fee. Many victims were elderly and vulnerable.
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate stated: “The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting and pursuing those who perpetrate fraud schemes targeting America’s seniors.” He thanked Canada for its assistance in extraditing Fraser to face charges in the U.S., emphasizing continued collaboration with international law enforcement partners.
U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada remarked: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with the Consumer Protection Branch and our law enforcement partners…to identify and pursue transnational criminals who prey on older Americans.”
Eric Shen, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge, added: “Postal inspectors protect the vulnerable. If you use fake prize offers to scam others, we’ll find you—and you will be held accountable.”
Fraser faces a nine-count indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Las Vegas. If convicted, he could receive up to 20 years in prison per count.
Senior Trial Attorney Ann Entwistle and Trial Attorney Charles B. Dunn from the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez are prosecuting the case after an investigation by USPIS.
The Justice Department acknowledged support from various agencies including Vancouver Police Department and Canada’s International Assistance Group for their roles in Fraser’s extradition process.
Victims or those aware of financial fraud against individuals aged 60 or older can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 for assistance.
Further information about efforts against elder fraud can be found on various Justice Department web pages including its Elder Justice Initiative webpage.
