What began as an investigation into some counterfeit $20 bills at a Seal Beach toy store became a national probe into a gang-related fraud scheme, authorities said.
Federal and local investigators say they found bogus money totaling $100,000 in more than 50 cities across the U.S., even in Jamaica.
On Thursday, eight people in Los Angeles were arrested for their alleged involvement in the scheme, which could have begun in 2013, according to the Seal Beach Police Department.
The five women and three men -- many of whom have ties to L.A. street gangs -- are accused of using counterfeit bills to purchase gift cards and merchandise at big-box stores like Nordstrom and Target, police said.