Five defendants have pleaded guilty to conspiracies to commit mail fraud and money laundering in a $3.5 million sweepstakes scam that targeted older people and transferred their money to offshore accounts, U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak said Wednesday.

“These defendants stole the life savings of dozens of elderly victims and received more than $3.5 million,” Pak said in a news release. “These schemes unfortunately are all too common and citizens should be wary of contests that require upfront payments to receive a prize.”

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly K. Connors and Cassandra J. Schansman are prosecuting the case, which the release said is connected to the Department of Justice’s “Elder Justice Initiative” targeting financial crimes and abuse against seniors.

“Scammers—whether U.S.-based or abroad—who mistakenly believe they can avoid accountability for their criminal actions by transferring ill-gotten proceeds outside the country should know they are not immune from federal prosecution,” said Nick Annan, special agent in charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Atlanta. “This case shows an international border is no defense for those who defraud senior citizens, and HSI is committed to using its unique cross-border authority to investigate and hold accountable persons who commit such crimes.”