Two brothers from La Porte, Raymond Calvin Smith and Bruce Milik Smith, have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of conducting an elaborate scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars. They used mobile sports wagering apps to funnel money from victims to themselves by setting up accounts in the victims’ names using their personal information. The brothers stole over $723,000 and attempted to steal an additional $930,000. Raymond Smith also pled guilty to evading taxes on the proceeds he received. United States District Court Judge Cristal Brisco sentenced Raymond Smith to 70 months in prison and Bruce Smith to 39 months in prison. Additionally, they were ordered to pay restitution to the victims and the IRS. The case was investigated by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Indiana Gaming Commission.
The brothers’ actions are a reminder of the risks associated with sharing personal information online. It is essential for individuals to protect their personal and financial information to prevent falling victim to such scams. The sentencing of Raymond Smith and Bruce Smith sends a strong message that such fraudulent schemes will not be tolerated, and those responsible will face serious consequences. The collaboration of different law enforcement agencies in investigating this case highlights the importance of cooperation in combatting financial crimes.
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