Phelps County Woman Ordered To Repay $1.97 Million In Lottery Scam Case

A Phelps County woman who helped move money for a lottery scam that targeted victims across the country was sentenced Thursday to three years of probation and ordered to repay $1.97 million.

Sharon Dolisi, 79, of the St. James area, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joshua M. Divine after pleading guilty in March in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

Federal prosecutors said Dolisi acted as a money mule for scammers who contacted victims by phone or text and falsely told them they had won a lottery. Victims were told they needed to prepay “taxes” and “fees” to “intermediates” and “merchant bankers” before they could receive their winnings.

When victims did not have enough available money, conspirators told them to obtain reverse mortgages and home equity loans, according to prosecutors.

Dolisi moved more than $1.9 million in fraud proceeds through her bank accounts, prosecutors said. From about April 21, 2023, to June 11, 2025, she deposited cashier’s checks and personal checks from 28 victims into her personal accounts.

Less than a week after her first deposit, one bank closed her account, according to prosecutors.

Federal officials said Dolisi also supplied debit cards to co-conspirators in Jamaica, who used the cards to withdraw victims’ money.

On Oct. 28, 2024, Dolisi falsely told law enforcement officials she was not receiving money from or sending money to other people, prosecutors said. Four days later, after bank representatives questioned three large cash withdrawals totaling $64,500, Dolisi falsely claimed she bought and sold gold.

On June 27, 2025, Dolisi told a bank representative she immediately needed $54,000 in cash to buy gold and collectibles, according to prosecutors.

“Sharon Dolisi engaged in a scheme where she accepted and transmitted money that was provided by vulnerable elderly victims under false pretenses,” said Aaron McCullough, acting special agent in charge with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General. “As a result of this scheme, many elderly victims lost their entire life savings.”

Nicholas Bucciarelli, inspector in charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, said postal inspectors investigate fraud schemes that use the mail system and seek justice for victims, including those who are most vulnerable.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwen Carroll prosecuted the case.