Man Sentenced to Prison for Selling Data of 7 Million Elderly Americans Online

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Troy Murray Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison for Selling Data of 7 Million Elderly Americans

A 57-year-old man from North Carolina, who operated under the alias Steve Dixon, has been sentenced to 121 months in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud.

Background on the Case

Between 2016 and 2023, Murray sold sensitive information about over 7 million elderly Americans to scammers in Jamaica and other countries, resulting in estimated losses of over $9.5 million.

According to court documents, Murray generated significant profits from his illicit activities, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually by selling lists of personal data, including names, phone numbers, and addresses.

The Scheme

Murray’s clients, primarily based in Jamaica, used this information to commit lottery fraud. When Murray’s preferred payment method – wire transfer services – became unavailable, he adapted by requesting payments in prepaid gift cards.

Murray sent at least 22,000 lead lists over several years, yielding over $5.2 million in profit.
He utilized the ill-gotten gains to purchase farm equipment, vehicles, and precious metal collectibles, as well as fund his son’s personal and business expenses.

Related Case

In a related case, Murray’s son, Cutter Murray, pleaded guilty to money laundering for receiving and laundering $1.6 million of the fraudulent funds.

Elder Fraud Continues to Surge

This conviction highlights the ongoing issue of elder fraud, which continues to surge nationwide. According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, elderly Americans aged 60 and older filed over 200,000 fraud complaints last year, representing a 37% increase over 2024. Total losses suffered by affected victims reached nearly $7.8 billion, with an average loss per complainant reaching $38,500.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations

Murray’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation. As the problem persists, law enforcement agencies continue to work towards holding perpetrators accountable and recovering stolen funds.