Scam artist from Las Vegas convicted, faces prison time due to $10 million mail fraud scheme
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In a significant victory for justice, three men from Southern Nevada were sentenced to prison terms on June 23, 2025, for their involvement in a multi-million-dollar elder fraud scheme.
The defendants, including Mario Castro, Miguel Castro, and Jose Luis Mendez, were convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud. The scheme, which operated between 2010 and 2018, defrauded victims of more than $10M.
The fraudulent operation, which was shut down by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2019, involved the printing and mailing of millions of documents. The mailings led recipients to believe they had won a cash prize. However, victims who paid fees did not receive anything of value.
The defendants tried to hide their activities by changing the names of the companies they used and employing straw owners. The operators of the scheme included several entities such as Imperial Award Services, Assets Unlimited, Pacific Disbursement Reporting, Special Money Managers, Price Awards, and Money Securities.
USPS sent the operators of the scheme cease and desist orders. USPS inspectors were given warrants to search the warehouse where the fraudulent mailings were being sent.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) launched an investigation into the scheme in 2019. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton stated that the defendants used lies and deceit to steal from the elderly and vulnerable.
Mario Castro, 55, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 20 years. Miguel Castro, 58, also of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 19.5 years. Jose Luis Mendez, 49, of Henderson, was sentenced to 14 years.
Attorneys William Brown for Mendez, Joshua Tomsheck for Mario Castro, and Lucas Gaffney for Miguel Castro claim their clients are innocent and will appeal the convictions and sentences.
It is important to note that, as of September 19, 2023, there are no available search results or credible public records detailing a 2023 Nevada prize scheme targeting elderly and vulnerable individuals involving Mario Castro, Miguel Castro, and Jose Luis Mendez. The retrieved documents do not mention any such case, individuals, or scheme.
Four other defendants in the case, Patti Kern, Andrea Burrow, Edgar Del Rio, and Sean O'Connor, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud earlier.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance against fraudulent activities and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protect the vulnerable members of our society.
- The prison sentences for Mario Castro, Miguel Castro, and Jose Luis Mendez, who were sentenced for their roles in a multi-million-dollar elder fraud scheme in Las Vegas, were handed down on June 23, 2025.
- The trio was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud, with their activities centered around the casino culture of Las Vegas and their involvement with casino-and-gambling related companies such as Imperial Award Services and Special Money Managers.
- General news outlets reported that the United States Postal Service (USPS) launched an investigation into the scheme in 2019, which led to the eventual convictions and sentencing of the defendants.
- While four other defendants have already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, attorneys for Mario Castro, Miguel Castro, and Jose Luis Mendez have announced their intention to appeal the convictions and sentences, maintaining their clients' innocence.
