Sacramento Standard

The United States has reached a consent decree with Dale Lake of Hanford, as announced by U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. This legal agreement resolves a lawsuit brought under the Anti-Fraud Injunction Statute, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

The lawsuit alleged that Lake acted as a "money mule" in a mail and wire fraud scheme targeting senior citizens. According to the complaint, he received funds or gift cards obtained through fraudulent means and then transmitted these to accomplices in Jamaica. Other individuals involved in the scheme falsely informed victims that they had won prizes and persuaded them to send money to Lake to claim their winnings.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston approved the consent decree, which permanently bars Lake from engaging in any prize promotion fraud or money transmitting activities. The decree also permits the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to monitor his incoming mail to ensure compliance.

“Money mules facilitate fraud against vulnerable populations,” stated U.S. Attorney Talbert, emphasizing the commitment of his office to hold accountable those who engage in such schemes and educate the public about these fraudulent practices.

Inspector in Charge Stephen M. Sherwood of the USPIS San Francisco Division remarked, “Postal Inspectors will continue to use all tools of law enforcement, including civil remedies, to protect the public from fraud schemes employing money mules.”

This case results from an investigation by both the U.S. Attorney’s Office and USPIS and is part of a broader effort involving various federal agencies like Justice Department and FBI to dismantle networks facilitating international fraud through money mules.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Fuentes managed this case for the government.