Treasury Check Fraud: Korean American Man Accused in $12.5M Scheme
Treasury Check Fraud allegations led to the arrest of a Korean American man in New Jersey after prosecutors accused him of attempting to cash a U.S. Treasury check worth more than $12.5 million using a shell company.
According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Sonny Lee, 70, of Palisades Park, was arrested on May 5 on charges including attempted money laundering, attempted theft by deception, and impersonating a corporate officer.
Prosecutors said Lee allegedly created fraudulent corporate documents and fabricated organizational records in July of last year to pose as the head of a legitimate business entity. Authorities claim he then opened a bank account under the company’s name and attempted to deposit a U.S. Treasury-issued check totaling $12,515,828.30.
Investigation Into Treasury Check Fraud Scheme
The investigation began in November 2025 after a tip was submitted to the Newark office of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.
Following a lengthy investigation, authorities executed a search warrant at Lee’s residence and seized electronic devices including cell phones, laptops, and tablets. Prosecutors did not disclose why the Treasury check had originally been issued to the company tied to the alleged scheme.
Officials said the case remains under investigation.
Prior Fraud Convictions and Charges
Court records show Lee has previously faced fraud-related allegations. In 2013, he was charged with allegedly defrauding a 92-year-old woman of more than $1 million under the guise of supporting a Christian charitable organization.
Authorities also said Lee was charged again in August 2023 in a separate theft-by-deception case.
Lee is currently being held at the Bergen County Jail pending further legal proceedings.
