Episode Overview: The Shocking Case of Barbara Trickle and the Sweepstakes Fraud Conspiracy

In this compelling episode of Behind the Scams, Nick and Sue Henley pull back the curtain on one of the most jaw-dropping elder fraud schemes ever prosecuted. At the center of the case is Barbara Trickle, an 80-year-old woman from Las Vegas who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Her role? Operating a printing and mailing business that was responsible for producing and distributing millions of fake prize notices.

These weren’t just spam letters—these were highly deceptive, personalized scams that tricked victims into believing they had won life-changing amounts of money. Victims were told they had already won prizes like $749,251 or even $1.5 million, and all they had to do was send in a small “processing fee” of $20 to $50. Thousands of victims, primarily seniors, fell for the scam. And over time, that small fee added up to a staggering $15 million in stolen funds.

Inside the Scam: How They Manipulated and Exploited Victims

Barbara Trickle didn’t act alone. She conspired with Kimberly Stamps and John Kyle Muller, who played critical roles in running and refining the operation. Stamps, based in Arizona, managed the mailing lists, coordinated logistics, and processed victim payments. Muller, from Colorado, was the scam’s editor-in-chief—reviewing and perfecting the fraudulent mail content to make it as convincing as possible.

The scheme ran from 2012 to 2018 and relied on psychological manipulation. The scammers made their letters look official, using seals, stamps, and fake agency names like “Office of the Registrar Funding Division.” Personalized victim names, unique ID numbers, and a barrage of follow-up letters kept victims hooked. If someone responded once, they were flagged as a repeat target and added to a secret victim database managed by Trickle’s business.

The mailings implied that recipients were confirmed winners of massive cash prizes and simply needed to send a small fee to claim their reward. Victims sent checks and cash to post office boxes rented by the scammers. What did they receive? At best, a trinket of negligible value or a “report” containing public sweepstakes information. Most received absolutely nothing of value.

Why This Case Matters: Real Lessons from a Real Indictment for Sweepstakes Fraud

Nick emphasizes the importance of reading actual indictments to understand how these crimes are committed. That’s why Stamp Out Scams includes the full federal indictment for this case on the episode page at stampoutscams.org. These documents show in detail how scams are structured—from the flow of money to the deceptive language used.

Posting these indictments serves two critical purposes: first, it educates the public about scam tactics so they can spot similar schemes; second, it empowers victims and families to better understand what happened and how justice is being pursued. Due to limitations on podcast platforms like Apple and Spotify, the PDF can only be accessed through our website.

Visit the episode page at stampoutscams.org to download your copy.

The Federal Response: Holding Fraudsters Accountable

The Justice Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service played key roles in investigating and prosecuting this case. In February 2018, federal agents executed multiple search warrants and shut down the operation. Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth emphasized the DOJ’s ongoing commitment to protecting elderly Americans from mail fraud and prize notification schemes.

Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the USPIS stated, “We will continue to aggressively investigate mass-mailing schemes to protect older Americans.” It’s clear that this case is not just a one-off—it’s part of a larger federal effort to combat elder fraud and safeguard vulnerable populations from sophisticated scammers.

Red Flags and Scam Tactics: What You Need to Know about Sweepstakes Fraud

This case is a textbook example of how scammers use psychological tricks to manipulate victims:

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  • Urgency and FOMO: Warnings like “Act Now!” or “Prize Expires Soon” bypass critical thinking.
  
  
  
  

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  • Personalization: Letters that include your name multiple times, a unique “claim number,” or phrases like “exclusively in your name.”
  
  
  
  

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  • Low-cost entry for high rewards: The too-good-to-be-true model—$25 gets you $1 million? It’s a scam.
  
  
  
  

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  • Official-sounding titles and departments: Fake seals, made-up agency names, and phony signatures lend false credibility.
  
  
  
  

The golden rule? If you have to pay a fee to claim a prize, it’s a scam.

Elder Fraud Resources and Where to Report

Victims or their families who suspect fraud can take action. Here are resources that can help:

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  • Report a Scam: stampoutscams.org/report-a-scam
  
  
  
  

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  • National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET)
  
  
  
  

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  • FTC Fraud Reporting: reportfraud.ftc.gov
  
  
  
  

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  • Department of Justice Elder Initiative: justice.gov/elderjustice
  
  
  
  

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  • Office for Victims of Crime: ovc.ojp.gov
  
  
  
  

If you or someone you know is 60+ and a victim of financial fraud, don’t hesitate to reach out. There is no shame in being scammed—only urgency in reporting it.

Watch the Episode on ScamTV

You can also watch our coverage and future episodes on YouTube at ScamTV, our video partner platform. Subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay updated on all our scam alerts.

Visit ScamTV on YouTube: youtube.com/@ScamTV

Final Thoughts: Turning Awareness into Action

The sweepstakes fraud scam orchestrated by Barbara Trickle and her co-conspirators is a chilling example of how scammers prey on trust, hope, and vulnerability—especially among our elderly population. But knowledge is power. By understanding how these frauds work, we can better protect ourselves and those we care about.

If you’ve found this episode valuable, share it with your family and community. The more people we reach, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.

Remember to visit stampoutscams.org for more scam alerts, resources, and full episode transcripts.

Stay safe. Stay skeptical. And stay one step ahead. Lastly, be sure and download a copy of the federal indictment by clicking below.