TAMPA, Fla. – A Winter Haven man, Tyler Jacob, has admitted his involvement in a complex bank fraud operation that spanned two years and resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in intended losses.
Jacob, who identified himself as a member of the “Trap Boys,” pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, witness tampering, and destruction of evidence.
According to court documents, Jacob and his co-conspirators orchestrated a scheme that involved creating and altering fictitious checks, recruiting others to deposit them, and using stolen personal information to facilitate the fraud.
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The operation targeted financial institutions across Florida, including Orlando, Winter Haven, Lakeland, Bartow, Tampa, and Miami. The group deposited an estimated $50,000 in fraudulent checks each week, aiming for a total loss of at least $550,000.
When law enforcement searched Jacob’s residence, he attempted to destroy evidence by shredding documents and throwing others in his washing machine. Investigators found shredded papers, checkbooks, financial documents in other people’s names, printers, scanners, and check-writing software. Jacob also tried to persuade someone to dispose of evidence and lie to law enforcement after his arrest.
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Jacob faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 2 years and up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
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