Rapper Sean Kingston handed a 3.5-year prison sentence for committing fraud
US rapper Sean Kingston, born Kisean Anderson, has been sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for his role in a luxury fraud scheme that took place in South Florida from April 2023 to March 2024.
Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, were accused of using the rapper's celebrity status to obtain luxury items from victims, including a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade, watches, a 19-foot LED TV, jewelry, luxury beds, furniture, and other high-end merchandise.
The scheme unfolded through social media, with transactions arranged and negotiated on various platforms. Victims were invited to Kingston's Florida homes with promises of social media promotion, only to be sent fake wire transfer receipts to deceive them into delivering the luxury goods without receiving payment.
Authorities raided Kingston's home near Fort Lauderdale in Florida, leading to his arrest in 2024. His mother was also taken into custody.
Kingston's lawyer, Zeljka Bozanic, described him as a "soft guy who grew up poor" who rose to fame quickly and lacked knowledge in managing his finances and business. The defense argued that Kingston had the mentality of a teenager.
The victims in this case were primarily left unpaid, though some received compensation after law enforcement involvement or lawsuits were filed. No new details about the value of the fraud scheme or any new victims were provided.
Janice Turner was sentenced to five years in prison in July. No new arrests or sentencings related to this case have been reported.
Before being sentenced, Kingston apologized to the court. Federal prosecutors stated that Kingston contacted victims on social media, promising to purchase luxury goods and showcase their products on his social media. Text messages between Kingston and his mother discussing fake payment receipts were presented as evidence at trial.
Kingston was convicted in a wire fraud scheme exceeding $1m (€850,000). He is set to begin his prison sentence in August 2025.
In the case involving the luxury fraud scheme, US rapper Sean Kingston, who rose to fame quickly, was sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for using his celebrity status to obtain various luxury items, such as a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade and jewelry, among other high-end merchandise. The scheme involved celebrities, crime-and-justice, and general-news, as well as the use of music and social media for deception, with victims primarily left unpaid.
