(HAMMOND) - Three Honduran men have been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay restitution for a multi-state check fraud scheme that targeted banks in Indiana and Oklahoma. Court records show the men worked together to use counterfeit identification cards to cash fraudulent checks at multiple bank branches, making the transactions appear legitimate. Authorities say the scheme resulted in more than $533,000 in financial losses.
Federal investigators, working with local law enforcement agencies, uncovered the operation across several locations.
In addition to prison sentences, the defendants were ordered to repay the affected financial institutions. Officials say the men do not have legal status in the United States and will face removal proceedings after completing their prison terms.
Federal prosecutors say the case reflects ongoing efforts to combat organized financial fraud involving false identification and interstate activity.