Former US Postal Fraud Investigator Accused of Stealing Over $330K from Elderly Scam Victims

Scott Kelley, a former U.S. postal investigator and team leader of both the Mail Fraud and Mail Theft Units in Massachusetts, has been indicted on 45 counts for allegedly stealing over $330,000 from packages sent by victims of a Jamaican lottery scam. Kelley is accused of instructing postal workers to intercept nearly 2,000 packages, unlawfully opening them, and misappropriating the cash inside, which victims, mostly elderly with an average age of 75, sent believing they were lottery winnings. He allegedly laundered the stolen money and spent it on personal luxuries including home renovations, a Caribbean cruise, and escort services, sometimes during work hours. Additionally, Kelley is charged with stealing $7,000 from an evidence locker and attempting to blame a subordinate for the theft. The indictment highlights a breach of trust as Kelley was responsible for investigating scams similar to the ones he exploited. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and federal prosecutors are pursuing charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, mail theft, money laundering, theft of government funds, and filing false tax returns.