Seven people have been arrested and warrants were issued for two others in a lottery scam that targeted elderly people across the United States, NBCConnecticut.com reported.

Police in Stamford, Conn., have so far identified 31 victims from across the United States, mostly between 80 and 90 years old. Police have documented losses in excess of $165,000.

Police said the ring, based in Fairfield County, contacted victims by telephone or letter, telling them that they had won a prize, police said.

Before collecting any supposed winnings, the victims were told that they would have to pay taxes or fees and send money through Western Union or U.S. Postal Service money orders.

The money was then transferred to Costa Rica.

Victims who did send the money received additional phone calls telling them there was an issue and that they would need to send even more money before they could receive their prize.

The calls continue until the victim ran out of money or realized that he or she had been scammed, police said.

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Police said they have obtained nine arrest warrants.

Police have arrested Tiffany Midgette, 32, of Stamford, Kinika Harvey, 28, of Bridgeport, and Stephanie Handy, 35, of Stamford.

They were charged with racketeering, money laundering in the third degree, larceny in the first degree, second-degree larceny, conspiracy at larceny in the first degree, conspiracy at larceny in the second degree and criminal attempt at larceny in the second degree.

Bond for Midgette and Harvey was set at $150,000, while bond for Handy was set at $125,000.

Kimberly Midgette, 31, of Stamford, Rannisha Fullmore, 27, of Stamford, Keneeta Washington, 30, of Stamford, and Aisha Jones, 27, of Stamford, were charged with larceny in the first degree, larceny in the second degree, money laundering in the third degree, conspiracy at larceny in the first degree and conspiracy at larceny in the second degree.

Bond for Midgette and Fullmore was set at $20,000, while bond for Washington and Jones was set at $75,000.

In addition to the seven local arrests, police have an extraditable warrant for the suspected ring leader, who lives in Costa Rica, and another person in Virginia.

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Tina Fineberg / AP

Five people were killed in a fire at this house on Christmas Day in Stamford, Conn.

The Connecticut state attorney has determined that no criminal charges should be filed in connection with a fire in Stamford on Christmas Day that killed a couple and their three granddaughters.

“This is not a decision made easily or lightly. In a tragedy of this magnitude, it is understandable that both the people affected by it personally and the public at large need to find that someone is responsible, that it is not just a senseless accident," David Cohen, the state’s attorney, stated in a report released Friday morning.

"However, my determination must be based solely on whether there is sufficient evidence to hold someone criminally responsible," he added.

The two other people present in the house when the fire broke out, the children's mother and her boyfriend, were able to escape.

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In his report, Cohen said the investigation was hampered by actions of some Stamford officials.

He said the local fire marshal should have notified the State Fire Marshal’s Office and given them an opportunity to assist with the investigation, so that a second opinion about the cause and origin of the fire could be obtained. 

Man died trying to save granddaughter in Conn. fire

Cohen also recommended that both the Police Department and the State’s Attorney’s Office be consulted before any demolition is authorized and carried out.

Sometime between 3 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. on Christmas Day, Michael Borcina, who is described as the mother's boyfriend, is believed to have put fireplace ashes in a bag and left it either in or outside a mudroom and trash enclosure attached to the rear of the house, said Barry Callahan, Stamford's fire marshal. The fire was reported just after 4:40 a.m.

"The fire entered the house quickly and spread throughout the first floor and up two interior vertical openings, trapping the occupants on the upper floors," Callahan said.

There were plans for hard-wired smoke alarms, but they had not been hooked up, an official said. The home was demolished soon after the fire because of the damage and safety concerns.

"I am aware that many have emotionally judged this circumstance differently. That is understandable. There is no way that I could begin to conceive of the depth of loss by the Badger family,” Cohen wrote.

Insurer balks at claims in Christmas fire that killed 3 girls, grandparents

"However, where so much is unknown or in dispute, where the facts are inconclusive and where the safety of the public will not be enhanced, I have decided to exercise the discretion given to me by our State constitution and by my oath of office and decline, at this time, to prosecute,” he concluded.

Lomer Johnson, the children's grandfather, had appeared as Santa at Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship store in Manhattan. His daughter, homeowner Madonna Badger, a New York City ad executive, survived along with Borcina, who was staying with her while helping remodel the Victorian house.

Hundreds gather for funeral for 3 girls killed in fire

The girls' father, Matthew Badger, started a project that supports underfunded elementary school arts programs in memory of his daughters.

NBCConnecticut.com contributed to this report.

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