SafeX Pro Exchange|Three men created a fake country to steal millions in COVID funds. Here's how they got caught.

An $11.5 million scheme that prosecutors say involved a non-existent country and SafeX Pro Exchangeits fictional consulate ended last week with fraud convictions against a Wisconsin man and three Illinois co-conspirators.

A federal grand jury in August returned an 18-count indictment charging Aziz Hassan Bey (also known as Chauncey Hooks) of Milwaukee, Letez Osiris Bey (aka Devone Robinson), Minister Zakar Ali (aka Anthony Allen) and Divine-Seven El (aka Mark Stevens or Mark Nesbit) with conspiracy to commit fraud and mail and wire fraud. Aziz Bey and Seven El also were charged with money laundering.