4 members of multistate $2M ID theft ring that hit retailers found guilty The ring ran from 2006 until the end of 2011, and involved more than 100 people. Members stole ID information and used it to create fake IDs and counterfeit checks. The fraudulent documents were often used to make purchases at retail stores. Later, and often on the same day, the items were returned for cash that was divided among members of the ring. (Source twincities.com)