US court sentences man for involvement in Jamaica based scheme

A Florida court has sentenced a man to six years and six months in prison for participating in a Jamaica-based scheme which fleeced US$1.8 million in veteran and Social Security benefits.

According to court records, 27 year old Georgia resident, Jamare Mason, was sentenced on Tuesday.

He was also ordered to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution. 

Mason pleaded guilty in November to conspiring to commit bank and wire fraud. 

Officials said from 2012 to 2017, Mason and others attempted to redirect benefits from more than 100 disabled veterans and Social Security beneficiaries. 

Scammers obtained the victims' personal information and used it to fraudulently open bank accounts and obtain prepaid debit cards. 

Funds were withdrawn from ATMs and banks throughout South Florida and Georgia. 

The officials said most of  the funds were ultimately funneled to the architects of  the scheme in Jamaica.