EDMONTON — The U.S. Justice Department says an Alberta man is awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy and mail fraud after he allegedly operated a mail scam with other people that targeted vulnerable American seniors.
The department says in an online statement that Patrick Fraser, 44, was arrested by Canadian authorities in June 2023 and has now been extradited to the United States in connection with a fraudulent mail scheme.
He was ordered to remain detained during a hearing in a federal Las Vegas courtroom last week and awaits trial in the nine-count indictment.
The department alleges in the statement that Frasher mailed notifications to American recipients and those in other countries stating they had won a large cash prize, but the victims could only receive it after paying a fee.
The cash prize was typically $1 million and many victims were elderly and vulnerable people.
The statement says Fraser faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the Justice Department’s civil division thanked Canada in the statement for assisting in Fraser's extradition so he could face charges in the United States
"The Justice Department and U.S. law enforcement partners will continue to work closely with law enforcement partners across the globe to bring to justice criminals who attempt to defraud U.S. victims from outside the United States," he said.
U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Eric Shen also said in the statement that mail service providers protect the vulnerable.
"If you use fake prize offers to scam others, we’ll find you — and you will be held accountable,” Shen said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2025.
The Canadian Press
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