Ex-Postal Investigator Charged with Stealing Over $330,000 from Mailed Packages

A former federal postal investigator has been accused of stealing more than $330,000 from packages sent by scam victims. The investigation alleges that he used the proceeds for personal expenses, including home upgrades, vacations, and escorts, according to the Justice Department.

Scott Kelley, 51, of Massachusetts, faces a 45-count indictment involving charges such as wire fraud, mail fraud, theft of government funds, money laundering, and filing false tax returns. Kelley previously led the Mail Fraud and Mail Theft Units within the US Postal Inspection Service.

Between 2019 and 2023, Kelley allegedly orchestrated a scheme where he manipulated postal employees to intercept packages sent by victims of a scam targeting Americans via Jamaican-based fraud. The victims believed they needed to send money to claim fictitious lottery or sweepstakes winnings. Kelley instructed postal workers to send these packages to him, stealing the cash inside.

It is believed that Kelley requested the send of around 1,950 packages, pocketing the money from each. The victims, averaging 75 years old, contributed amounts ranging from $1,400 to $19,100, with the oldest victim being 82.

In addition to theft, Kelley is accused of using deceitful methods to cover his tracks. He allegedly sent misleading emails to postal staff, falsely claiming that a package’s contents were lost, and sometimes met victims personally under false pretenses.

Kelley is accused of laundering nearly $340,000 through a series of bank deposits and purchases such as postal money orders, concealing his identity as the payer. He is also alleged to have stolen $7,000 from an evidence locker belonging to a subordinate postal worker.