Operation Teller to Telegram led to the arrest of eight suspects in Central Florida for a multi-state, $8.8 million bank fraud and racketeering scheme.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested the eight suspects in connection to a multi-million dollar fraud investigation impacting 235 victims across various states and totaling $8.8 million in stolen funds.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Florida Attorney General’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and detectives from the Maryland State Police, Virginia State Police, Allegany County Sheriff’s Office (MD), and Florissant Police (MO), assisted in the investigation. The suspects who lived outside of Florida had Polk County warrants issued for their arrests, and they have all been extradited and booked into the Polk County Jail.
According to law enforcement, the victims were mainly targeted due to the fact that they were elderly. The suspects transferred money into accounts the suspects opened and then either disbursed amongst themselves, or made purchases such as new cars…