Two convicted in sweepstakes scam

OMAHA, Neb. — Two Nebraska residents, Kenneth Breyer, 75, and Elaine (also known as Edith) Breyer, 74, were sentenced on Nov. 6, in federal court in Omaha for their role in operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced the Breyers to five years of probation and ordered them to pay $55,000 in restitution.

The case stems from an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service into a 2023 fraud targeting an elderly Louisville, Kentucky, resident. According to investigators, the victim was deceived by an unknown individual claiming she had won $18.5 million in a Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes. She was instructed to send $100,000 to various addresses to cover taxes and fees, including $70,000 to the Breyers.

Between Feb. 3 and Feb. 13, 2023, the Breyers received three mailings from the victim, totaling $70,000.

They then transferred $55,000 to others involved in the scheme outside Nebraska, while law enforcement seized the remaining $15,000 before further distribution.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.