On June 12, 2025, Sherwayne Benjamin Bellinfantie, also known as “Ice Man,” was extradited from Jamaica to the United States. He faces charges related to a romance and sweepstakes scheme targeting an elderly resident of Arizona. A federal grand jury in Tucson indicted Bellinfantie in March 2022 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. His arrest in Jamaica occurred on July 3, 2023, under an extradition warrant.
The indictment claims that between December 2015 and January 2019, Bellinfantie and his associates were involved in a scheme aimed at an 85-year-old resident of Vail, Arizona. The victim was deceived into believing she was in a romantic relationship with someone using a fictitious name. To further the deception, one co-conspirator sent flowers with love messages to her home. They also falsely told her she had won a lottery or other prize to persuade her into sending money for supposed “taxes” or “fees.” The victim reportedly lost over $400,000 due to this scheme.
A conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering can each result in a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a formal charge and does not imply guilt. An individual remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by evidence presented before a jury.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Arizona in Tucson is responsible for prosecuting the case.
