A Jamaican citizen accused of participating in a lottery scam that cost Kentucky residents about $80,000 has been brought back to the United States after investigators traced victim payments to an account connected to her.
Jenel Chrissancia Rowe, 29, is one of six people authorities have linked to a scheme in which Graves County residents received mail telling them they had won $250 million.
Before the supposed fortune could be released, the recipients were instructed to send money for what were described as IRS fees. An arrest warrant alleges some of those payments were directed into Rowe’s account.
U.S. Marshals returned Rowe to the United States on Aug. 20, according to KFVS. She was taken into custody in Tennessee and must now go through extradition proceedings before she can be transferred to Kentucky.
The Letters Claimed the Victims Had Won $250 Million
The Graves County Sheriff’s Office began investigating in December 2025 after learning that local residents had been targeted through the mail. The communications presented the recipients as winners of an enormous lottery prize.
The demand for money came afterward, with victims told they needed to cover taxes before collecting their winnings. Investigators determined that the promised prize did not exist and began following the payments and identifying people they believed were involved.
The investigation led authorities beyond Kentucky, with suspects identified in Florida and Jamaica. According to the arrest warrant, victims were instructed to deposit money into an account belonging to Rowe as part of the purported tax payment process. Authorities subsequently obtained a warrant for Rowe, who is known to have ties to both Florida and Jamaica.
U.S. Marshals Returned Her Through Nashville
Rowe was brought back to the United States on Thursday night and flown into Nashville International Airport. Federal marshals transferred her to Tennessee authorities after arrival. Davidson County Sheriff’s Office records show she was booked at 10:22 p.m. on Aug. 20.
Her arrival in Tennessee was not the final step in getting her before a Kentucky court. West Kentucky Star reported that she must go through extradition proceedings before being transferred to the Graves County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities are seeking charges of theft by deception and engaging in organized crime.
The Graves County Sheriff’s Office said three other suspects connected to the investigation are already in custody awaiting court proceedings. Authorities have identified six suspected co-conspirators altogether, meaning the investigation extends beyond the defendants currently being held.
Lottery Taxes Are Not Paid by Sending Money to a Stranger’s Bank Account
The Federal Trade Commission says a demand to pay taxes, processing costs, shipping charges or similar fees before receiving a prize is a hallmark of a lottery or sweepstakes scam. Consumers should not send money or financial information in response to an unsolicited prize notification.
The actual federal tax process works differently. IRS guidance explains that lottery and other gambling winnings are taxable income, while certain winnings are subject to federal withholding and may be reported on Form W-2G.
Before responding to any lottery notice, verify whether you actually entered the drawing and contact the lottery organization through independently obtained information. Do not rely on telephone numbers, addresses or payment instructions contained in the winning notice itself.
Anyone who has already sent money should contact the bank or payment provider immediately to ask whether a transaction can be stopped or recalled and preserve the letter, envelopes, deposit instructions, receipts and communications for investigators. Suspected prize and lottery scams can also be reported through the FTC’s ReportFraud.ftc.gov.