Key points
- Used fame to obtain luxury goods without payment
- Victims were misled using fake wire receipts
- Mother Janice Turner also sentenced to five years
ISLAMABAD: Rapper Sean Kingston has been sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for his involvement in a fraud scheme worth over $1 million (£738,000).
The “Beautiful Girls” singer, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, was convicted earlier this year alongside his mother, Janice Turner, for a wire fraud operation in which they acquired luxury goods—such as high-end watches, a 232-inch LED television, a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade, and designer furniture—without paying for them, according to the BBC.
Rapper Sean Kingston sentenced to jail over million-dollar fraud scheme pic.twitter.com/KyAvKHQft9
— The Sun (@TheSun) August 16, 2025
Prosecutors said the duo exploited Kingston’s celebrity status to persuade victims to hand over expensive items, promising either publicity or future payment. When payment was due, they sent falsified wire transfer receipts showing fake transactions.
Social media fraud
Before being sentenced, Kingston apologised in court and claimed he had learnt from his actions, according to US media reports. His mother was sentenced in July to five years in prison.
The Jamaican-American artist, also known for hits like Fire Burning, Take You There, and Eenie Meenie (featuring Justin Bieber), was arrested in California in 2024 while scheduled to perform at a US Army base in the Mojave Desert.
His arrest followed a raid at his residence near Fort Lauderdale, where his mother was also taken into custody.
According to federal prosecutors, Kingston contacted victims via social media, expressing interest in their luxury goods. He would then invite them to his homes in South Florida, promising to promote their products on social media or connect them with other high-profile celebrities.
Forged wire transfers
However, instead of making legitimate payments, he and his mother allegedly sent forged wire transfer confirmations. Most victims never received compensation, although a few were paid after law enforcement intervened or lawsuits were filed.
One significant piece of evidence presented at trial included text messages between Kingston and his mother. In one message, Kingston wrote, “I told you to make [a] fake receipt.”
His lawyer, Zeljka Bozanic, argued the singer was a “soft-hearted person” who had grown up in poverty and was overwhelmed by fame. He said Kingston still had the mindset of a teenager and lacked the knowledge to properly manage his finances and business affairs.
Kingston is set to begin his prison sentence immediately.
