POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced Wednesday that eight suspects were arrested in connection with a multi-million dollar fraud investigation.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation impacted 235 victims across several states and resulted in nearly $8.9 million in stolen funds.
Judd said the suspects mostly targeted elderly victims and are accused of transferring money into accounts they opened. The suspects then disbursed the money amongst themselves and used it for various purchases, such as new cars, the sheriff’s office said.
Floating tiki hut, 8 other illegal charters shut down by Coast Guard in South Florida
In April 2023, deputies said Synchrony Bank noticed suspicious activity tied to a newly opened account belonging to 27-year-old Michael Nevarez of Lakeland…