News writer
Imagine getting a phone call or letter claiming you just won a life-changing lottery jackpot. The excitement, the plans you'd start making, the dream of finally cashing in on luck, it all feels real. But for some unlucky people across the country, that dream turned into a costly nightmare.
For four years, a slick scheme disguised as lottery winnings reeled in victims and drained their bank accounts. Now, one Florida woman at the center of the plot has admitted the truth, and federal authorities say justice is finally catching up.
A four-year fraud scheme
In January 2025, a grand jury indicted 38-year-old Danielle Diarbakerly, of Florida, and accused her of participating in a conspiracy to launder the proceeds of a fraud scheme. The scheme reportedly ran from at least January 2020 to September 2024.
According to court records, Diarbekerly admitted to authorities that she and others were part of a conspiracy designed to defraud people living throughout the United States, including in West Michigan. The group would conduct financial transactions using the money they defrauded from these people to conceal the source, control, or location of the fraudulent proceeds.
For the scheme, some members of the group would contact the victims and tell them they had won large prizes in a multistate lottery. They would then tell these victims that they had to pay taxes and fees associated with their winnings to collect their money.
The victims were told to send the money, by either wire transfer or mail, to these shell companies, which were created by Diarbakerly for that purpose. When Diarbakerly received the money, she would then quickly move the funds into other shell companies that she controlled or she would send it to other conspirators. She knew the money she was moving around was taken using fraudulent means.
She now faces 20 years in prison
On August 26, 2025, Diarbakerly pled guilty in federal court to money laundering conspiracy for her role in the multi-state fraud scheme. The victims had over $3 million in losses during the four-year scheme.
For pleading guilty, Diarbakerly now faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine, and she will have to pay restitution to the victims.
U.S. Attorney Tim VerHey stated:
Every day, fraudsters attempt to steal money earned by hardworking Americans and from vulnerable retirees living on fixed incomes. Federal law enforcement is relentlessly pursuing everyone responsible for committing those frauds, including those who facilitate these reprehensible financial crimes. We all must remain vigilant when receiving unsolicited communications to avoid falling victim to these schemes.
Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, added:
Schemes that drain the bank accounts of everyday people are terrible and steal the safety and security of victims across the country. IRS Criminal Investigation is dedicated to flushing out fraudsters and protecting tax-paying Americans from crimes like these that jeopardize their way of life.
Enjoy playing the lottery. Stay up to date with the latest lottery scams and how to prevent them, and please remember to play responsibly.
Comments