Federal Agents Arrest Four Men at Pembroke Pines Restaurant in $27.9 Million Stolen Check Scheme

PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA — Federal authorities have arrested four men at a Pembroke Pines restaurant after uncovering what investigators say was a multi-million-dollar stolen check scheme involving a $27.9 million U.S. Treasury check.

According to court documents obtained by investigators, the arrests occurred Monday afternoon during a covert lunchtime sting orchestrated by federal agents. The operation targeted a group suspected of attempting to cash or traffic a stolen Treasury check worth nearly $28 million.

Undercover Operation Leads to Quick Arrests

Authorities say the suspects were under surveillance when they met at the restaurant to discuss the transaction. Undercover agents, posing as participants in the deal, moved in and detained the men after confirming details of their plan.

The sting was part of a broader federal investigation into stolen government checks and high-value financial fraud, which officials say has become a growing issue in parts of South Florida.

All four men were taken into custody without incident. Their names have not yet been publicly released pending court proceedings, though mugshots provided by law enforcement show the suspects range in age from their 30s to 40s.

A Nearly $28 Million Treasury Check at the Center

Investigators allege that the group obtained the stolen check and planned to use forged identification and business documents to deposit or cash it. The document, reportedly originating from a U.S. Treasury disbursement, was flagged as suspicious by financial crime analysts weeks before the sting.

The suspects allegedly believed they had found a way to launder the funds, unaware that they were communicating with undercover agents during the final stage of their plan.

Federal Agencies Coordinate Multi-Level Operation

Federal prosecutors have not yet disclosed which agencies were directly involved in the takedown, but operations of this scale typically include collaboration between the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, and the Department of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said additional charges are being prepared, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, possession of stolen government property, and attempted money laundering.

Broader Crackdown on Financial Fraud in Florida

Florida has seen a significant uptick in large-scale financial scams and stolen check operations in recent years, with authorities warning that fraud networks often target Treasury checks due to their high value and limited traceability once deposited.

Officials say this sting marks one of the largest attempted Treasury frauds intercepted in recent years.

The defendants are expected to appear in federal court in Miami later this week. If convicted, each could face up to 30 years in prison and substantial fines.

Federal authorities continue to investigate whether others were involved in the plot or if the suspects have ties to larger criminal networks operating in the state.

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