An Orlando man accused of running a counterfeit-check operation across Northeast Florida was booked into the Duval County jail after investigators allegedly traced a trail of fake deposits, recruited account holders and stolen identity documents back to him.
Cy Williams, 41, was booked July 24 and faces more than a dozen charges tied to an alleged scheme that targeted seven businesses and roughly seven financial institutions, according to News4JAX. Investigators say the counterfeit checks totaled $68,410, with about $26,238.98 successfully stolen.
According to the arrest report described by News4JAX, text messages identified Williams as “Boogy” and an associate as “Chico Black.” One woman told investigators she was promised $50 to deposit a check after being told the man behind the request had reached his daily limit, later saying she “didn’t feel like he was a scam until after the fact.”
How Investigators Say It Worked
Investigators allege Williams and his associate recruited about 20 people to open accounts at VyStar Credit Union and Community First Credit Union. Those account holders were allegedly driven to ATMs, where they deposited 20 counterfeit checks before funds were withdrawn, wired or spent.
The alleged losses included approximately $13,549 for VyStar and $4,186 for Community First, according to the arrest report. Investigators also say the operation involved deposits at Publix locations, transfers through Zelle and wire services, and images of Florida driver’s licenses and U.S. passports found on Williams’ phone.
Traffic Stop Led To Financial Crimes Case
The investigation began after Williams and his associate were pulled over on Interstate 75 in Ocala on Sept. 23, 2025, investigators say. Officers allegedly found counterfeit checks and deposit receipts inside the vehicle, leading detectives to examine ATM surveillance, phone location data, financial records and messages.
Investigators say surveillance footage placed Williams alongside people making deposits, including one April 28, 2025, transaction involving a $2,500 counterfeit check at a VyStar ATM. Location data from his phone allegedly placed him near multiple deposit scenes, while images on the device showed original checks that investigators believe were used as counterfeiting templates.
Arrest, Charges And Credit Union Response
A warrant was issued April 17, and Williams faces charges including organized fraud, defrauding financial institutions, grand theft, criminal use of personal identification information, money laundering, uttering forged instruments and uttering false instruments, News4JAX reported. Community First declined to comment, while VyStar said it takes financial crimes seriously and works with law enforcement to investigate suspected criminal activity.
The case falls within the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s Economic Crimes Unit, which investigates fraud, counterfeiting, embezzlement and identity theft. In its 2024 annual report, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the unit was assigned 398 cases that year, including 208 handled directly by its detectives.
Williams has been accused, not convicted, and the charges will be tested in court. The alleged scheme’s use of recruited account holders and multiple payment channels shows how a single counterfeit check can become part of a much wider financial investigation.
