Alleged massive gang check fraud conspiracy dismantled by Florida sheriff.

Authorities announced on Tuesday that three gang members were arrested due to a massive check fraud conspiracy that had been under investigation for years.

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, 200 people and businesses in Polk County were victimized by alleged crimes.

In June 2022, the Polk County Sheriff's office received a call at a gas station and subsequently searched for Tyler Jacob, a convicted felon who was a member of the "Trap Boys" gang.

Jacob was caught with a handgun, ammunition, fraudulent checks, altered checks, personal information of other people written in a notebook, 27 debit cards in other people's names, a computer, and a cell phone, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay.

Jacob was found with checks that allegedly belonged to businesses that had reported fraud on their checking accounts, and had been deposited into the accounts associated with the debit cards, according to U.S. Attorney Mark Handberg.

Investigators discovered check-writing software and fraudulent checks on Jacob's computer after executing a search warrant, Handberg stated.

According to FOX 13, the notebook's information was later found to be stolen and belonged to deceased individuals living in assisted living facilities and those with mental incompetence.

Jaquavious Green, a member of the "Trap Boys" gang, was stopped on gun charges and found to have blank checks, blank check paperwork, and debit cards, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

When Daquan Carey, a third alleged gang member, was arrested on murder charges after a shooting in Lake Wales, a similar story unfolded.

"During the presser, Judd stated that when we arrested him, we struggled with him. Our deputies risked their lives to remove a gun from his waistband. We discovered that he had checks, credit cards, indicating that we had uncovered the start of a significant operation."

At least 19 conspirators, including Jacob, are believed to have defrauded banks, credit unions, and businesses in central Florida from July 2021 to November 2023.

"Tyler Jacob, also known as the "Money Man," was instrumental in the success of the "Trap Boys" gang. He perfected the scheme and brought in new members. However, the "Trap Boys" have been dismantled, and their accomplices are now being targeted. The "Trap Boys" are no more, having been flushed down the toilet and into the sewer."