KINGSTON, Jamaica — A change-of-plea hearing for the Jamaican man accused of masterminding a lottery scam that victimised dozens of Americans out of millions of dollars is scheduled for today.

Lavrick Willocks on July 14, agreed to plead guilty in a deal with federal prosecutors in North Dakota.

The defence and prosecutors signed the agreement, which calls for Willocks to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy, and in turn, prosecutors will dismiss 65 other counts of wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering.

Court documents say “the United States was willing to offer certain terms favourable to defendant in exchange for finality” in a case that has dragged on more than five years.

Willocks will face a maximum prison sentence of 40 years, though prosecutors in court documents say they will recommend a shorter term in return for Willocks’ admission of guilt. They did not list an exact recommendation.

The government also will recommend Willocks pay restitution. Authorities say the scam bilked at least 90 mostly elderly Americans out of more than US$5.7 million.

Fifteen people are charged. Ten suspects, including Willocks, have been extradited to North Dakota and pleaded not guilty, with trial scheduled to begin January 22, 2018. Court documents don’t say whether Willocks has agreed to testify against his co-defendants, or whether plea deals might be in the works for them, as well.

Two of the remaining five suspects are in custody in Jamaica awaiting extradition, and three remain fugitives.

The case began in North Dakota in 2012 when authorities started investigating after a Harvey woman lost her life savings of more than US$300,000 to scam artists the previous year. The probe involves the FBI, the US Postal Inspection Service and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. Authorities have dubbed the case “Operation Hard Copy,” a reference to lists of prospective victims’ contact information used by scammers.