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Four Southern California suspects have been accused of scamming the $93 million fraud through the government through a community tax fraud scheme.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), theft is the largest known COVID-related fraud scheme in the United States.
The suspect was identified as follows:
Kristerpher Turner, aka “Kristerner”, “Red”, “Red Boy”, “Bullet”, 52, Harbor City Trianonox, aka “Scooby”, “Dwight” 55, Los Angeles Kenya Jones, Aka, Aka “Kenya Hunt”, 46, “kenya hunt”, kenya hunt, Victorville’s “Jay” 55
The suspicious crime took place from June 2020 to December 2024. The group and its co-conspirators have filed fraudulent tax forms with at least 148 companies, authorities said.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Congress approved tax credits that include “danger and family wage credits.”
Small and medium-sized businesses can request a refund of their tax returns by claiming a credit known as a coronavirus-responsive credit. This reimbursed businesses for wages paid to employees who were unable to work due to the pandemic.
According to the indictment, Turner and his accomplices may also submit fraudulent forms to claim these credits.
“Turner will oversee and manage recruiters, including Knox and Jones, and ensure they hire fraudulent clients, including romantic partners,” court documents say. “Fraud clients provide personal identification information that is used to establish fake businesses and prepare fraudulent tax returns. Others will provide information about existing businesses that are not entitled to receive coronavirus response credits, allowing co-conspirators to use that information to file fraudulent tax filings regarding control of those businesses.”
The suspect receives a mail check and deposits it into a bank account opened in a fake business name. For each person who gets a government check, Turner is reportedly collecting 20% to 40% of the money he receives.
Through the scheme, the suspects had sought a tax refund of more than $247 million. They ultimately managed to steal about $93 million through IRS-issued checks.
At one point during the long-standing operation, the suspect learned that IRS officials were investigating the scheme.
Around August 29, 2023, Knox, Jones and other unidentified suspects tried to kill Turner to prevent him from telling law enforcement about the fraud, court documents said.
Turner was shot multiple times at an office park in Gardena. He survives the shooting and remains paralyzed.
On June 11, 2025, Turner, Knox, Jones and Johnson were charged with email fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and conspiracy to file false claims. Knox and Jones were also charged with attempting to kill a witness and using a firearm by promoting the crime.
If convicted on all claims, all four will be held in prison for up to 20 years on each mail fraud claim. Knox and Jones could end up for life in prison for firearms and 30 years of attempted murder.
The case was investigated by the US Financial Inspector for Tax Management and the FBI of the IRS Criminal Investigation.
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