3 sent to prison in massive $100M ID theft-tax fraud case

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Three people convicted of operating an estimated $100 million tax refund fraud operation that stands as one of the nation's largest have been sent to prison by a South Florida federal judge.

The ring was centered in an unassuming house in the suburb of Miramar. Internal Revenue Service investigators say at least 10 laptop computers were used between July 2011 and May 2013 to steal millions of dollars in fraudulent refunds using stolen identities.

Federal prosecutors say it's one of the largest such fraud cases ever uncovered.

Five men in their 20s and early 30s pleaded guilty earlier this year to fraud, identity theft and stolen mail possession charges. Three were sentenced to prison terms Tuesday of ranging from more than four years to 11 years. Two will be sentenced Wednesday.