A Jamaican national has been extradited to the United States to face charges in connection with a romance scheme authorities said cost an 85-year-old Arizona woman of more than $400,000.

Sherwayne Benjamin Bellinfantie, also known as “Ice Man,” was extradited June 12 to the U.S. related to the romance and sweepstakes scheme that targeted the Vail, Arizona, resident, according to a release from the Arizona district of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A federal grand jury in Tucson indicted Bellinfantie in March 2022 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Bellinfantie was arrested in Jamaica on an extradition warrant on July 3, 2023.

The indictment alleges from December 2015 through January 2019, Bellinfantie and his co-conspirators participated in the scheme.

“Using a fictitious name, Bellinfantie and his co-conspirators deceived the victim by leading her to believe she was engaged in a romantic relationship. In furtherance of the scheme, one of the co-conspirators would send flowers with love messages to the victim’s residence,” the release stated.

The co-conspirators also “falsely represented to the victim that she had won the lottery or another monetary prize to induce her into sending them money to pay ‘taxes’ or other ‘fees.’”    

Conviction on each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

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