HOUSTON -- Criminals are targeting small businesses in a check fraud scheme, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.

Bellville Police said one member of the large group was caught on surveillance video.

"They got the money, some things, and they left," said Dilbagh Gill.

He owns the Sealy Superette, a business that, among other things, cashes checks.

"About three or four people came in. They were not scaring us. They were quiet, very polite, courteous."

Gill said that in a matter of minutes, the thieves were gone without employees knowing what had happened

"We do not cash strange checks. The name of the business on these was in the system," he said.

The small business lost thousands of dollars.

"A total of $5,300 -- that's a lot of money," Gill said.

Detective Tony Fourroux told Local 2 this same group is victimizing businesses all the way from Galveston to Bellville, and they're very successful.

"From several locations, they were able to get $45,000 to $50,000 all within about an hour," he said.

The detective said he believes eight to 10 men are the ring leaders and they hire day laborers to pack the small stores.

"They get so many people inside, it causes confusion," said Fourroux.

And they're organized, giving each one a check with an ID card to match.

That's how they're fooling people such as Gill.

"We hope we'll get our money back and these guys are put in prison. It's fraud," said Gill.

If you have any information that could help solve this case, Bellville police asked that you call them at 979-865-5440.