A man was taken into custody Friday and accused of taking part in an organized scheme that used counterfeit checks to defraud banks and businesses across Jacksonville, according to a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
Cy Nahum Williams, 41, of Orlando, was arrested on July 24 on local warrants for conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, grand theft, bank fraud, identity theft, and numerous counts of uttering a fake instrument, according to the report. The warrants are linked to Case No. 16-2026-AF-167880, and detectives have requested that an extradition warrant be issued.
The investigation began on September 23, 2025, at a traffic stop on Interstate 75 in Ocala, Florida, when troopers discovered counterfeit checks and deposit receipts in a car driven by Williams and somebody named in the report as Guy Antonio Haywood. Authorities seized both men’s cell phones and later obtained search warrants to examine them, according to the report.
Detectives say phone extractions, GPS data, and bank subpoenas connected Williams and Haywood to approximately 20 counterfeit-check deposits at area financial institutions between April and September 2025. The report mentions 20 phony checks totaling around $68,410; detectives believe approximately $26,238.98 was successfully obtained through cash withdrawals, electronic transfers, or purchases.
Vystar Credit Union reported approximately $13,549.01 in losses, while Community First Credit Union reported approximately $4,186.16 in losses, the report states.
According to bank records and surveillance detailed in the article, the counterfeit checks were deposited into the accounts of a number of persons who were reportedly recruited to make the deposits.
According to investigators, the fraud featured checks pretending to be drawn on the accounts of multiple businesses, including Nicopat LLC, Collegiate Installation Services, and Peterson Construction, among others.
VyStar issued a statement saying:
“As this is an ongoing law enforcement investigation, we cannot comment on the specific details of the case. VyStar takes fraud and financial crimes seriously and maintains processes to help prevent, detect, and investigate suspicious activity. We routinely work with law enforcement and other appropriate authorities when criminal activity is suspected and will continue to support their efforts as appropriate.”
Williams’ court hearing is scheduled for August 17.
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