Former Postal Investigator Charged with Stealing Over $330,000 from Vulnerable Mail Victims

In a shocking case of betrayal of public trust, 51-year-old Scott Kelley of Massachusetts, once a trusted postal investigator who headed the fraud department, now faces serious legal troubles himself. According to a 45-count indictment returned by a Boston grand jury, Kelley allegedly orchestrated an elaborate scheme to intercept and steal cash from packages that were already part of scam investigations he was supposed to be supervising. The irony is palpable: the very man tasked with protecting Americans from mail fraud apparently exploited his position to victimize them further. Between 2019 and 2023, Kelley allegedly directed postal employees to redirect packages to him under the guise that they were connected to a Jamaican lottery scam targeting Americans. These packages, sent by victims who believed they needed to send cash to claim lottery or sweepstakes winnings, were then allegedly opened by Kelley, who pocketed the contents instead of following proper protocol to return the money to the senders.

The details of Kelley’s alleged crimes reveal a particularly callous approach to his victims, who were predominantly elderly and vulnerable. Court documents identify seven victims with an average age of 75, with the oldest being 82 years old. These individuals had mailed between $1,400 and $19,100 each, believing they were securing legitimate prize winnings. Instead, according to prosecutors, their money ended up funding Kelley’s lavish lifestyle. In one especially troubling incident, Kelley allegedly met with one of the victims in person, falsely claiming their package couldn’t be found and cruelly suggesting that “their loss was their own fault because they had mailed cash.” The Justice Department states that none of the victims ever recovered their packages or money. Making matters worse, Kelley allegedly went so far as to frame one of his subordinates for theft, stealing $7,000 from an evidence locker using another inspector’s key and then blaming that employee for the missing funds.

The case becomes even more disturbing when examining Kelley’s professional background and the trust placed in him. From 2015 until June 2022, he served as team leader for the Mail Fraud Unit within the US Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of the Postal Service. His job specifically involved investigating the very scams he’s now accused of exploiting. Later, from June 2022 until August 2023, he led the Mail Theft Unit – an appointment that, in retrospect, seems tragically ironic. Postal workers were indeed authorized to intercept packages suspected of being part of scams, but strict protocols existed: they couldn’t open packages without sender consent, and if opened, they were required to count any cash with another worker present and mail the sender a check for the full amount. Kelley allegedly circumvented these safeguards completely, requesting approximately 1,950 packages be sent to him and systematically stealing their contents.

The indictment details how Kelley allegedly laundered nearly $340,000 in stolen cash to cover his tracks. He reportedly purchased postal money orders while concealing the fact that he was both the purchaser and payee. He also allegedly spread more than 60 bank deposits across four different accounts at two banks to avoid triggering reporting requirements – a practice known as “structuring” that is itself a federal crime. The Justice Department claims Kelley failed to report this ill-gotten income on his tax returns, adding tax fraud to his growing list of alleged offenses. The charges against him are extensive and severe, including 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. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, money laundering, and mail fraud alone.

Perhaps most telling about Kelley’s character are the ways he allegedly spent the stolen funds. Court documents claim he used $15,400 to pay for sexual services from two escorts, sometimes even during workdays. He reportedly spent $30,188 on home improvements, including a new swimming pool patio with lighting and a granite countertop for his outdoor bar. Another $4,300 allegedly went toward a Caribbean cruise. These expenditures paint a picture of someone who abused his position of authority not just for financial gain, but for personal indulgence and luxury – all at the expense of elderly victims who had already been targeted by scammers. The alleged crimes represent not just theft, but a profound violation of the public trust placed in law enforcement officials who are supposed to protect citizens, especially the most vulnerable.

This case highlights several troubling issues within systems designed to protect the public. First, it raises questions about oversight and accountability within the Postal Inspection Service, as Kelley allegedly operated this scheme for years while in leadership positions. Second, it underscores the vulnerability of elderly Americans to financial fraud, showing how they can be victimized multiple times – first by international scammers and then allegedly by the very person tasked with helping them. The charges against Kelley carry severe penalties, reflecting the seriousness of his alleged betrayal: up to 20 years for each fraud and money laundering charge, 10 years for theft of government money, five years for each mail theft and structuring charge, and three years for each false tax return charge. As this case moves through the legal system, it serves as a sobering reminder that positions of trust require constant vigilance and that no one – not even those entrusted with enforcing the law – is above it.