Four Southern California residents have been charged in what federal officials describe as the largest known COVID-related fraud scheme in the United States, accused of stealing approximately $93 million from the government through fraudulent tax filings.
According to the FBI, the scheme ran from June 2020 to December 2024 and involved fraudulent claims for Coronavirus Response Credits, which were designed to reimburse small businesses for wages paid to employees unable to work during the pandemic.
The suspects were identified as:
- Kristerpher Turner, aka “Kris Turner,” “Red,” “Red Boy” and “Bullet,” 52, of Harbor City
- Toriano Knox, aka “Scooby,” and “Dwight,” 55, of Los Angeles
- Kenya Jones, aka “Kenya Emua Jones,” and “Kenya Hunt,” 46, of Compton
- Joyce Johnson, a.k.a. “Ms. Jay,” 55, of Victorville
Prosecutors allege that Turner led the operation, directing accomplices to recruit individuals—often romantic partners—to provide personal information for fake businesses or to submit fraudulent tax claims for real but ineligible companies.
The suspects allegedly submitted fraudulent tax forms for at least 148 companies, seeking over $247 million in refunds. Authorities say they successfully obtained around $93 million, which was funneled through bank accounts opened under false business names. Turner allegedly kept between 20% and 40% of each fraudulent refund.
The fraud scheme turned violent when, in August 2023, Knox, Jones, and other unidentified individuals allegedly attempted to murder Turner to prevent him from cooperating with law enforcement. Turner was shot multiple times at an office park in Gardena but survived, though he remains paralyzed.
All four suspects were charged on June 11, 2025, with mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and conspiracy to submit false claims. Knox and Jones face additional charges of attempted murder of a witness and firearm-related offenses.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison for each mail fraud charge, with Knox and Jones facing life sentences on the firearm charges and up to 30 years for the attempted murder allegations.
The FBI, the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division led the investigation.
