Alleged $93 Million PPP Fraud Ring Leads to Attempted Murder Charges
July 4, 2025
Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher
Fraud Friday: Alleged $93 Million PPP Fraud Ring Leads to Attempted Murder Charges
Federal authorities have allegedly indicted four individuals in what is being called the largest known COVID-related PPP loan fraud in Southern California, with fraudulent payouts allegedly totaling $93 million and attempted loan applications exceeding $250 million.
At the center of the scheme is Christopher Turner, aka “Red,” “Red Boy,” or “Bullet,” who was allegedly shot multiple times in Gardena, California, in August 2023 by co-conspirators fearing he might cooperate with federal investigators. Turner survived but was left paralyzed.
The indictment alleges a sophisticated fraud ring that operated from 2020 through 2024 by submitting false tax filings and fraudulent PPP loan applications through fake companies that used real business names. The conspirators allegedly recruited individuals to provide identification, social security numbers, and past tax returns to secure fraudulent loan proceeds.
Turner reportedly took 20% to 40% of each loan package as a cut, with recruiters and co-conspirators receiving kickbacks in that range.
Other indicted parties include Toriano Knox (aka “Scooby”), Kenya Jones (aka “Kenya Hunt”), who allegedly recruited family members, friends, and romantic partners into the scheme, and Joyce (aka “Miss J”) of Victorville.
Federal prosecutors have seized multiple assets connected to the scheme, including homes in Los Angeles valued at over $1.5 million each, and bank accounts containing nearly $1 million in cash.
Charges allegedly include mail fraud, wire fraud, and for Knox and Jones, attempted murder and firearm violations. Convictions in cases of this magnitude carry potential sentences exceeding 20 years.
Following the indictments, Christopher Turner remains paralyzed from the August 2023 shooting allegedly carried out by his co-conspirators. Toriano Knox and Kenya Jones face charges with lengthy prison sentences not only for the $93 million fraud but also for attempted murder and firearms violations related to the attack on Turner. Joyce is also facing undisclosed charges.