A former U.S. Postal Inspector from Pembroke, Massachusetts, was arrested and charged with multiple federal crimes after allegedly stealing more than $330,000 in cash from packages mailed by elderly scam victims. Scott Kelley, 51, faces a 45-count indictment that includes charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, mail theft by a postal officer, theft of government money, money laundering, structuring to evade reporting requirements, and filing false tax returns.
Kelley worked at the Boston Division headquarters of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), where he led units investigating mail fraud and mail theft between 2015 and August 2023. According to the indictment unsealed in federal court in Boston on Tuesday, Kelley abused his position while working on the Jamaican Operations Linked to Telemarketing (JOLT) program—a nationwide crime-prevention effort targeting scams that tricked elderly Americans into mailing large sums of cash under false pretenses.
Prosecutors allege that from January 2019 through August 2023, Kelley orchestrated the interception of about 1,950 packages flagged as likely containing money sent by scam victims. He is accused of opening parcels suspected to contain cash and keeping the contents for himself.
The indictment lists seven victims whose ages averaged 75 years old; one victim was 82. Each lost between $1,400 and $19,100 after being convinced by scammers to send cash for supposed fees or taxes tied to fake lottery winnings. Prosecutors say none recovered their losses.
Kelley is also alleged to have entered a USPIS evidence vault using another employee’s code and key before stealing $7,000 from an evidence locker—later blaming a direct report for the missing funds and lying during an internal investigation.
The stolen money was reportedly used for personal expenses such as pool improvements totaling over $20,000; granite countertops; lighting installations; Caribbean cruise costs exceeding $4,000; and payments totaling over $15,000 for sexual services with escorts during workdays.
To conceal his actions, prosecutors claim Kelley bought nearly $160,000 in postal money orders—often listing relatives as purchasers—and spread more than $130,000 across four bank accounts at two banks over dozens of deposits to avoid detection by financial institutions.
“The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.”
Sentences for each count range up to 20 years depending on the charge if convicted. Sentencing will follow federal guidelines if there is a conviction.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “Members of the public who believe they may be victims of this case or other elder fraud scams should contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.” Reports can also be made online or via phone at (877) 876-2455 through the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Wichers and Dustin Chao are prosecuting the case with support from officials at USPS Office of Inspector General and IRS Criminal Investigation in Boston.
