An alleged international lottery scam fell apart in dramatic fashion after two suspects reportedly traveled to Omaha to collect $473,000 from a woman they believed was wealthy, elderly and vulnerable.
There was just one problem: the woman did not exist.
Authorities say the entire exchange was part of a carefully planned sting designed to catch the alleged scammers in the act.
Kerwin Kerr, 46, and Shanna Kerr, 44, both of East St. Louis, Illinois, were arrested Tuesday near 129th Street and West Maple Road, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began after a social media profile appearing to belong to a wealthy, single older woman was contacted on June 24.
The account had actually been created by a confidential informant, and the woman shown in the profile was fictional.
Investigators said the person who reached out claimed to be a CIA agent connected to a group called the “American Cash Awards Mega Millions Sweepstakes Lottery Company.”
The supposed victim was told she had won a major prize, but first needed to pay $473,000 in taxes and fees before the money could be released.
The alleged scammers later instructed her to meet a courier in a parking lot at about 10:30 a.m. on June 30.
The courier was reportedly supposed to identify himself using the code word “Kahreem” before taking the cash.
Deputies with the sheriff’s Special Operations Group set up surveillance around the parking lot while an investigator posed as the elderly woman.
The operation also involved the sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division and agents with Homeland Security Investigations.
Authorities said Kerwin Kerr arrived, identified himself to the undercover investigator and accepted a box he believed contained the $473,000.
Deputies then moved in and arrested him.
Shanna Kerr was reportedly waiting inside the vehicle and was also taken into custody.
During a search of the vehicle, investigators said they found a loaded handgun, marijuana, U.S. currency and Jamaican currency.
Both suspects are accused of conspiring to commit a felony.
Kerwin Kerr is also facing a weapons charge.
Booking records show he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a Class II felony and possession of a firearm while committing a felony.
Shanna Kerr was booked on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a Class II felony.
Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson said the case was unusual because the alleged scammers sent a person to collect the money in cash rather than directing the victim to a cryptocurrency kiosk.
“What’s unique about this case is that instead of the money from the victims going to an ATM Bitcoin cryptocurrency kiosk, the scam group actually sent a physical human courier to pick up the money,” Hanson told WOWT.
He said the courier pickup gave investigators a rare chance to make arrests before the money disappeared.
Authorities are now looking into whether the alleged group may have targeted other victims across the country.
Hanson warned that organized scam operations often reach far beyond a single city or state.
The alleged plot followed a familiar lottery scam formula.
Victims are told they have won a large prize, but must first pay taxes, insurance, customs charges, shipping costs or processing fees before receiving the money.
The Federal Trade Commission warns that legitimate prizes do not require winners to pay upfront fees.
The FBI has issued similar warnings, particularly for older adults, saying real sweepstakes do not demand payment for taxes, insurance or shipping before releasing winnings.
Authorities also stressed that legitimate government agencies do not send secret couriers to collect cash in parking lots.
The Omaha sting also shows how scammers may use social media to identify people they believe are easy targets.
Investigators said the fake account had been designed to make the supposed victim appear wealthy, single and vulnerable.
Families are encouraged to review what older relatives share publicly online, including posts about living alone, being widowed, retiring, receiving an inheritance, selling property or having adult children who live far away.
Anyone who receives a message claiming they have won a prize should avoid sending money, buying gift cards, using a Bitcoin machine, clicking suspicious links or meeting a courier.
Instead, they should contact a trusted family member, local police or the company through a verified phone number or official website.
Douglas County residents who believe they may have been targeted by a scam can call the sheriff’s scam line at 402-444-7226.
People outside the area can report suspected fraud to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Damn nigs, always scamming and lying…