A Spring Lake mother and daughter have been charged with scamming people out of thousands of dollars with counterfeit checks, according to Cumberland County Sheriff’s Detectives.

Georgia Bee Freeman, 38, and her 22-year old daughter Lakeisha Renee Thomas have been charged with running a tax refund scam.  According to a press release from Cumberland County authorities, the two allegedly hired homeless people to file fraudulent tax returns for their profit.

Lee County investigators have charged Freeman with obtaining property by false pretenses.  She is currently in the county’s jail under a $30,000 bond.  Thomas is also facing similar charges and is currently at large.

According to authorities, Freeman passed counterfeit checks to several businesses in the Sanford community. 

Investigators say Freeman and Thomas would obtain legitimate business account numbers, create counterfeit checks in that series, and print the name of the subject cashing it on the checks. 

Officials say the checks included a 1-800 number for verification.  Businesses or banks that were unaware of the scam would call the number and would reach a bogus payer verification cell phone.  Freeman and Thomas provided information to ensure the checks would pass the initial bank requirements.

Deputies have also charged 23-year-old Shinika Michelle Fair of Fayetteville in the same operation.  She was released from the Cumberland County Detention Center on an $8,000 bond.

Terrance Jermaine Williams, Freeman’s boyfriend, was also arrested for his involvement in the operation. Williams posted bond and was charged with similar charges.

The counterfeit checks have flooded Cumberland County over a period of 18 months.  Authorities say Freeman and Thomas made thousands of dollars from local business each week.

Investigators say more arrests are pending.

Detectives ask anyone who may have been a victim of this scheme should contact the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at (910) 323-1500.